History

Cadillac Urban Gardens, is a one-acre urban garden located in Mexicantown, Southwest Detroit on the former grounds of the Cadillac Clark Street Plant’s Executive parking lot. In 2012 as a community collaboration between Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision (SDEV), the Ideal Group, General Motors (GM), residents, non-profits, businesses, schools, and other local community organizations, CUG was developed with and for the community in mind. Since 2012 we have been able to repurpose 331 shipping containers from GM and utilize them as our raised beds to grow fresh produce the community can harvest without cost. In 2023, staff and community of the garden branched off to establish Cadillac Organization as an independent 501c(3) organization. The space currently serves as one of the largest raised bed urban gardens in SE Michigan.

CUG provides a space for community members to come together to grow fresh fruits and vegetables, promote food sovereignty, and beautify their neighborhood through place-based intergenerational learning. In turn, the garden provides food security for residents with little access to garden space and or fresh produce and has become a model for sustainable gardening practices as residents grow and harvest produce within walking distance of their homes.

CUG not only helps create a system of equitable access and availability of culturally relevant food across Southwest Detroit but develops the tools needed for residents young and old to become leaders within their own communities. Here at CUG, we don’t just grow produce, but leaders and environmental stewards who have already begun to enact change regarding food access and health across Southwest Detroit.

We are proud that since our inception: 

• over 20,000 hours of service have occurred within CUG with volunteers and visitors coming from all across the State of Michigan, the country, and the world. Without the hard work and dedication of our Southwest Detroit community and volunteers, this garden would not be possible.

• over 10.5 tons (23,170 ponds) of metal have been prevented from entering the waste stream as well as the implementation of more efficient water use strategies via rain catchment systems. 

• every year, over 2.5 tons of free, fresh produce are distributed to Detroit residents

• 24 of our youth volunteers and staff have gone on to college to major in related fields.