PEOPLE’S REASONS NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY GARDENS IN DISADVANTAGED NEIGHBORHOODS OF ROANOKE, VIRGINIA

Although community gardening provides numerous environmental, economic, health, and social benefits, public involvement and support are still not at the desired level for their permanency in cities. While there are numerous studies regarding people’s motivations to participate in community gardening, empirical research is very limited for people’s reasons not to participate in community gardening. For increased involvement and public support, knowledge about people’s reasons not to participate in community gardening is important. Using a survey instrument, this research identified people’s primary reasons that negatively influence their participation in community gardening in five disadvantaged neighborhoods of Roanoke, Virginia. Descriptive statistics, T-test, and factor analysis procedures were used at a 95% significance level. Results showed that the statements associated with “theft and damage”, “difficult access”, “too much effort”, and “no personal interest” were the main reasons not to participate in community gardening. Based on these, this research brings design and maintenance recommendations for the increase of more successful community garden projects. In the long term, this can contribute to the long-term survival of these landscapes in cities by providing higher public involvement and support for community garden projects.