Hyattsville transforms vacant lot into public food forest

The urban oasis provides free produce for residents and helps address food insecurity

Mar. 11, 2026 at 12:20am

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A vacant lot in Hyattsville, Maryland, once marked by criminal activity, has been transformed into a public food forest - one of two the city now manages for residents. The site spans about 8,600 square feet and features fruit and nut-bearing trees, perennials and shrubs that are free for public picking. Unlike a community garden, food forests are designed to mimic a natural ecosystem, with plants selected and planted to support one another's growth.

Why it matters

Food forests offer cities a sustainable solution to address food insecurity by providing free, accessible produce for residents. The Hyattsville site has helped transform a previously neglected area, bringing community back to the neighborhood and reducing criminal activity.

The details

The Hyattsville food forest produces figs, persimmons, currants, blackberries, raspberries, hazelnuts, pecans and beach plum, among other crops. Each plant and tree is labeled with signage that includes QR codes linking to information on when specific foods are in season and ready for harvest. Resident Freddie Reed said he began handing out bags to visitors when their harvests grew too large to carry by hand.

  • The Hyattsville food forest was established in the vacant lot.
  • The mayor wanted to find a way to bring community back to the neighborhood.

The players

Dawn Taft

Hyattsville's city arborist and manager of environmental programs.

Freddie Reed

A resident who lives next door to the food forest site.

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What they’re saying

“It was just an empty lot, and lots of nefarious behavior going on in the dark of wee hours of the morning. And so the mayor wanted to find a way to bring community back to the neighborhood.”

— Dawn Taft, Hyattsville's city arborist and manager of environmental programs

“I don't think they expect for so much fruit to be here. I, you know, just give them a Ziploc or a paper bag and just try to help em.”

— Freddie Reed, Resident

The takeaway

Urban food forests like the one in Hyattsville provide a sustainable and community-driven solution to address food insecurity in cities, transforming neglected spaces into vibrant public oases that bring residents together and increase access to fresh, healthy produce.