As we watched our new neighbor, the Obama Presidential Center (OPC), gearing up across the street for its opening this past June, our Market team also brought changes to The Hoop, our educational garden at Jackson Park Terrace, an affordable housing community in Woodlawn.
We upgraded the site not only for aesthetic reasons, but most importantly, for better functionality and bigger yields of fresh produce to distribute weekly to Jackson Park Terrace residents.
“The hoop house has definitely come a long way,” Kelly Jones, our Head Gardener, reflects as she explains how she worked with Corey Aquino, a veteran farmer with 30 years of experience (Co-owner of Lane’s End Farm), to rejuvenate the garden since the beginning of the year. Together, they worked to strategize and reinvigorate the site, from refreshing soil to reallocating crops for better sunlight and curb appeal.
So far this year, The Hoop has harvested over 1,300 lbs of produce, with plenty of late-season potatoes yet to be picked in the fall.
Since 2013, the 61st Street Farmers Market has maintained The Hoop as a home base for food access, urban agriculture, and hands-on education for Jackson Park Terrace residents and hundreds of youth from neighboring Carnegie Elementary School.
The new soil, clear working paths between garden beds, and well-organized vines of tomatoes and cucumbers have made it much easier to guide students through planting, harvesting, and learning in the garden. These upgrades pave the way for even richer educational programming and expanded food access as our neighborhood continues to grow.
The Hoop: 2026 in Photos
The Hoop with new soil, clear paths between the garden beds, and neatly organized tomato and cucumber vines.
Kelly and a volunteer carry cucumbers harvested from The Hoop.
Produce distribution station for Jackson Park Terrace residents.
In-school gardening classes with Carnegie students in spring and fall, where students learn about growing vegetables, potting plants, and harvesting.
Family Day at The Hoop for Carnegie parents and students, where we gave them a tour of the garden and distributed seedlings.
“It is amazing to have neighbors come together and talk about the different fruits and vegetables we grew. It feels like a neighborhood family.”
—MAHASIN, JPT RESIDENT GARDENER
“I’ve always wanted to harvest a radish!”
—A YOUTH PARTICIPANT IN BLACKSTONE BICYCLE WORKS SUMMER CAMP
