Dean Park's Sustainable Dream: One Family's Quest for a Self-Sustaining Garden Amid Skepticism

Garden or Trash?

Local couple of the historic Fort Myers community, Dean Park, ditched their homes traditional green lawn, for a unique garden dreamscape. Sara Burke (seen in the primary picture) told The News Press that the ability to harvest daily sustenance is a, “lifelong dream.” I’d say the family’s been working hard towards that dream, reportedly, yielding bountiful harvests of vegetables, fruits, and herbs. The property has immense biodiversity, durability, and creativity, but its design is an outlier across the mass of local turf.

Americans love their lawns, making it the most maintained plant in the country.

"Lawns are indicative of success; they are a physical manifestation of the American Dream of home ownership. To have a well maintained lawn is a sign to others that you have the time and/or the money to support this attraction. It signifies that you care about belonging and want others to see that you are like them" Krystal D'Costa (2017).

Fellow residents of Dean Park are skeptical of the Burke family’s interpretation of a “well-maintained lawn” and the effect it has on the curb appeal. However, the community has no Homeowners Association, so all ordinances and possible violations are codified at the city level.

This article presents the duopoly of interests between homeowners, municipalities, and neighbors. For example, residents of the illustrious Sandoval community in Cape Coral are governed by its HOA Board of Directors. Therefore, rules are written into the neighborhood’s bylaws, so that enforcement is aptly administered. It’s important to consider these factors when choosing where to plant your roots—literally and figuratively—because Fort Myers won’t be the same as Lehigh Acres, nor it to Cape Coral.

In the end, the City of Fort Myers code enforcement didn’t present any fines, nor demand a formal hearing of the Burke family. Instead, recommendations, such as the placement of loose branches and piles, were given to ensure safety, especially as the state prepares for its annual Hurricane season.