Walk down almost any city block, and you’ll notice them—the narrow strips of soil between sidewalk and street, often overlooked or filled with weeds and trash or mulch and stone. But these humble parkway gardens hold a quiet potential. They’re spaces that, with a little care and creativity, can bloom into vibrant, welcoming gardens that not only beautify the street but also create a sense of connection, comfort, and playfulness for families.

In a time when cities are striving to become more livable and family-friendly, these small, often neglected plots of earth can play a surprisingly big role.

Transforming Neglected Spaces into Community Assets

Cities are living ecosystems, but too often, the “living” part is paved over. Parkway gardens—sometimes called “hellstrips” because of their challenging growing conditions—are unique opportunities to bring life back into our urban landscapes. When we plant them with care, we create more than just pretty flowerbeds. We build mini-habitats for pollinators, soften the hard lines of the streetscape, and offer children a place to encounter nature’s rhythms right outside their front door.

Community gardens work in a similar way, transforming vacant lots into shared green spaces where families can gather, plant, and learn together. These spaces aren’t just for seasoned gardeners—they’re for anyone who wants to feel a deeper connection to their neighborhood, for parents looking to introduce their kids to the magic of planting seeds and watching them grow, and for anyone eager to contribute to a more vibrant, healthy city.

Why Parkway Gardens Matter for Families

For those raising children in the city—or for those just hoping to make our blocks feel more inviting—tending to parkway gardens is a way to reimagine what family-friendly urban life can look like. Instead of dreaming about distant suburban yards, we can cultivate patches of pollinator-friendly plants, fragrant herbs, and colorful blooms that transform a routine walk into an exploration.

These gardens offer moments of wonder for children: spotting bees dancing among lavender, watching a monarch caterpillar nibble milkweed, or digging their fingers into soil to plant sunflower seeds. Even a narrow strip of land can become a living classroom, a place where city kids can develop an appreciation for nature’s cycles and a sense of ownership over their surroundings.

Creating More Comfortable, Welcoming Blocks

A blooming parkway garden doesn’t just benefit the individual tending it—it transforms the entire block. It cools the sidewalk on hot days, makes streets feel safer and more inviting, and fosters connections among neighbors who stop to admire the flowers or ask for plant tips. For families, it’s an easy and rewarding way to make the city feel more like home, filled with life, color, and community.

Community gardens take this impact even further, offering shared spaces where families can grow food, share knowledge, and gather for events. They’re places where kids can learn about composting, pollinators, and plant care, all while building friendships and strengthening neighborhood ties.

It Starts with One Garden

If you’re already living in the city and wondering how you can make your surroundings feel more welcoming for yourself and your family, look no further than that little patch of soil by the curb. Choose a few hardy native plants, add some color, and watch as pollinators return. Or, join a local community garden and bring your child along for a morning of planting.

Cities don’t become family-friendly overnight—but they do change, one garden at a time. And it’s people like you, who choose to tend to the urban wild, who make that change possible.