User:EHOHGroup/sandbox

Background
Organized urban communal gardens have existed since the 1890s. Denver was one of the first cities in the country that organized cultivation associations. Community gardening's history in Denver includes ties to the Victory Gardens planted during World War II with the encouragement of Mayor Benjamin Stapleton and the Mayor's Community Garden Program in the 1970's under the direction of Mayor Federico Pena.

History
DUG was formally incorporated as a 501(C) 3 non-profit organization in 1985. The gardens were the brainchild of Chris Cordts, a Colorado State University Extension Agent after being inspired by the efforts of a small group of local gardeners in the Highlands neighborhood. The gardens were initially started to give a small group of Hmong women a place to garden. From this idea, the original three gardens were formed: the Shoshone Community Garden, the El Oasis Community Garden and the Pecos Community Garden. Many women from the lineage of this original garden group still participate today. In 2001, DUG was formally adopted as part of the city's comprehensive plan, which now provides a framework for regional gardens throughout the city.