A Parish Story from Kent, WA

Tahmina's family left their home country of Bangladesh, eventually settling in South King County, Kent, Washington in August of 2016 to serve at Hillside Church Kent, an International Church of the Nazarene. Hillside Church is located on 6 acres of land right near a major transit hub and adjacent to a major bus line. Land is a premium in this rapidly growing, diverse city.

For many of us, the overwhelming needs in our neighborhoods can be exhausting, but things can change when we shift our imagination. Starting in June 2017, partnering with World Relief Seattle and many others, Tahmina spearheaded a project to build Paradise Parking Plots Community Garden. Through the efforts of thousands of volunteers and many sources of funding, over 55,000 square feet of asphalt was removed. In that space, they built a garden containing 50 beds along with a rain catchment system from the church rooftop, which collects over 500,000 gallons of water each year. This not only provides 85% of the garden’s irrigation needs, but also prevents rain water from becoming polluted and entering the local Green-Duwamish watershed and eventually the Puget Sound.

“Our gardeners love to find out what each other is growing in their plots. There is laughter, sharing seeds, recipes and often friendships with those who would be considered an enemy. One gardener said, ‘Our countries are fighting but we are not!’”

Tahmina Martelly

This parking lot, previously plagued by water quality issues and flooding, is one of the largest examples of Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) in King county. What was once a neglected parking lot now hosts a thriving community of gardeners and stewards from over 25 countries. It is also a much-utilized space for community members and groups from schools to learn about positive climate action and environmental benefits of managing polluted stormwater.

Tahmina’s initiative addresses significant issues: providing healthy food, building community, and improving the environment. Refugee and immigrant populations, often living in apartment complexes with limited access to land, now have a place to grow their own food, supplement their incomes with excess yields, and connect with neighbors.

Paradise Parking Plots Community Garden stands as a testament to the power of community action, transforming a lifeless parking lot into a garden of hope, nourishment, and environmental stewardship.