In 1978, the Vermont Hills United Methodist Church worked with PP&R's Community Garden program to turn a vacant field located on the church's property into a thriving community garden. In 2010, with increased demand for gardening space, the asphalt parking lot between the garden and the church was removed and turned into a 7,200 square foot garden. The removal of asphalt reduced water run-off, which improved the watershed, and the water retention created nutrient-rich soil. The better growing conditions meant more produce and more opportunities to help those in need in southwest Portland.