Food Forest
Rapids Cemetery was neglected for hundred years until 2015. During that time “volunteer” trees took hold, wild vines spread and raspberry bushes mixed in. Old toppled trees created ideal protected conditions for the growth of wild raspberry bushes.
Starting in 2017, an Eagle Scout project undertook reclaiming and cultivating the raspberry bushes. Cardboard placed on the cleared topsoil blocked the return of unwanted vines and bushes. New topsoil and mulch created a fresh start. Raspberry bushes, scattered on the north slope, were transplanted in rows to capture sunlight.
Tended rows developed an urban food forest featuring heritage organic black cap raspberries harvested by a Girl Scout troop for local St. Peter’s Kitchen.
Food forest before reclamation 
Food forest with mulch treatment 
Black raspberries in the food forest after reclamation