Community Garden Project Blossoms at Encuentro Square in Logan Square
By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Logan Square ·
Encuentro Square, Logan Square's newest affordable housing development near the west end of The 606 trail, is launching a community garden initiative this week. The 89-unit property, developed by Evergreen Real Estate Group and Latin United Community Housing Association, has already proven popular with residents, with buildings in the first phase now 74% leased. The development, whose name means "the act of coming together" in Spanish, is living up to its collaborative vision with this new green space initiative.
The garden project will complement Encuentro Square's existing community-focused amenities, which include a community services lobby, teaching kitchen, children's room, and courtyard. This family-oriented development features predominantly two and three-bedroom units, making it ideal for households who want to put down roots in the neighborhood. Community support services available to residents include home-based head start programs in partnership with the Children's Place Association, as well as financial training and counseling.
"This really is a collaboration bringing together multiple community groups," said Kate Gronstal, Evergreen's vice president of development operations. "It's right on the convergence point of Logan Square, Humboldt Park and Hermosa." The garden initiative aims to address concerns about displacement from gentrification that developers observed during community outreach. Logan Square residents interested in supporting or participating in the garden project can contact Encuentro Square's management office for more information about upcoming community planting days.
Sources:
1. https://chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/2025/02/14/affordable-housing-development-encuentro-square-opens-logan-square
2. https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/doh/provdrs/housing_resources/news/2023/august/89_Affordable_Housing_Units_Planned_for_Logan_Square.html