In 2014, The North Miami Parks and Recreation Department was selected as a Grow Your Park grant recipient from the Darden Foundation and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). Enchanted Forest Elaine Gordon Park was selected as a site for one of the community gardens.

The development of this community garden has created a community of engaged volunteers that collaborate on projects that encourage a healthy lifestyle as well as create a a nutritious source of healthy produce.

Research through Grow Your Park has shown that community gardens contribute a number of positive impacts on participants and the surrounding community, such as

• Supporting community health and wellness, and healthy lifestyles
• Creating and strengthening intergenerational connections
• Revitalizing neighborhood parks
• Providing access to fresh produce and affordable nutritious food
• Promoting self-sufficiency
• Strengthening community through public-nonprofit partnerships
• Growing connections to the natural environment
• Supporting children’s physical and emotional development
• Encouraging youth entrepreneurship and “green” career paths