Samantha Trybula, left, and Hannah Tatum help paint panels to be installed in Evergreen Park's new youth garden during a recent art program in the new space. (Janice Neumann / Daily Southtown)

Right around the time the Evergreen Park Youth Department began mulling the idea of installing a green space geared toward young people last year, an area artist was looking for a way to share his talents with the community.

Both wanted to bring people together through their creative ventures and the village’s Youth Garden and art space was born.

“I always talk to the kids and see what they want to do and they mentioned it,” said Pyeisha Allen, the village’s youth director.

So a handful of young people gathered in May to plant rows of green peppers, banana peppers, zucchini, cucumbers and tomatoes in a formerly unused plot of grass outside of the Community Center.

Those veggies have begun sprouting and on a recent sunny day, a group ranging in age from 3 to 18 began painting panels that will be used as a backdrop for the garden.

The Youth Garden was funded by a $500 grant from Gro More Good, and there will be plenty more chances to create art there, organizers said. Planned programs include including crafting and painting in the garden, learning about using spices for recipes from the garden and other opportunities for interactive learning.

Samantha Trybula discusses a painting project with artist Dan Doyle during a recent program at Evergreen Park's new Youth Garden. (Janice Neumann / Daily Southtown)

Dan Doyle, the artist teaming with the village on the programs, had already painted the blue background blue and stenciled in flowers for the new panels. He distributed brushes, paint and snippets of advice during the initial art event as contemporary music streamed in the background.

“It’s just about bringing the community together in different ways,” said Doyle, a teacher at Kerr Middle School in Blue Island. Doyle is planning another mural where the community can pitch in and help at Veteran’s Park at 98th Street and California Avenue.

“It allows people to think differently, to express themselves,” said Doyle. “It’s a good feeling to create something.”

Ethan Brantley, 11, took his time painting in flowers at the recent gathering, noting he enjoys painting at home and recently created a work featuring Spider-Man. He also was part of the initial gardening effort.

“I got to plant the seeds,” he said.

Hannah Tatum and Samantha Trybula, both 10, were also busy coloring in flowers, sticking together to do the job.

Evergreen Park public works employee Jim Nowicki and youth director Pyeisha Allen helped to establish a Youth Garden in the village where kids can grow veggies as well as participate in art projects. (Janice Neumann / Daily Southtown)

Jim Nowicki, a member of the village’s public works department who helps lead the gardening efforts at the site, said he had taught the kids how to dig a hole, drop in a few beads of fertilizer, tamp down the dirt as cover and water the plants.

“It’s being able to teach them how to plant so they can keep it for the rest of their lives,” said Nowicki, who said he enjoys gardening, too.

Milo Gorzen, a youth supervisor for the department, said getting kids together for the project was easy.

“Whenever there’s days when a bunch of kids are at the Youth Center we round them up,” said Gorzen, adding that hands shoot up when he asks for volunteers.

“Gardens are a reflection of the community,” Gorzen said.

Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.