Frequently Asked Questions

The pocket forest is located on a strip of city-owned property on Goodwin Avenue, in the sunny area closest to 20 Goodwin Avenue.

The pocket forest is complete and open! It was officially celebrated with the community in October 2024, with Mayor Gary Christenson, State Representative Kate Lipper Garabedian, and Ward 5 Councillor Ari Taylor in attendance. The focus now is on ongoing care and adding new plants over time. You can see the full story on our Milestones page.

Ashley Kolodziej is the pocket forest coordinator. She lives next to the pocket forest and keeps an eye on day-to-day needs. We also have a dedicated group of volunteers who help with ongoing maintenance throughout the growing season.

Great gardens take a village — if you'd like to help, please sign up as a volunteer.

Ari Taylor, Malden's Ward 5 City Councillor, has confirmed that if the pocket forest is not maintained, the city would clean it up and revert the area to its previous state.

That said, the pocket forest was specifically designed to be low-maintenance. The native trees, shrubs, and groundcovers require far less upkeep than the grass lawn that was previously there — no regular mowing needed. With our growing volunteer base and the care that went into the plant selection, we're confident the pocket forest will thrive for years to come. Join us as a volunteer if you'd like to help keep it that way.

The land is owned by the City of Malden. If you notice a maintenance issue or concern with the pocket forest, you can reach out to us via the email list below, or report it directly to the City of Malden using the SeeClickFix app.

No — the pocket forest uses a shared care model rather than assigned plots. The space is too small for individual plots, and a shared approach gives everyone in the neighborhood an opportunity to participate without a full-season commitment. We coordinate volunteer events, maintenance days, and educational activities that anyone can join.

If you're looking for a full-season plot opportunity, we recommend looking into the Malden Community Garden, which offers a plot sign-up model.

No, we are not affiliated with the Malden Community Garden. As a neighborhood pocket forest in a residential area, our focus is on beautification, biodiversity, and education rather than food production. That said, we love the work they do! If you're looking for a garden plot or opportunities focused on growing crops and edible food, they're a great option.

Pest management was a top priority in the pocket forest's design. The plants were selected with this in mind — native species that don't provide food sources for rodents, and some, like daffodils and lavender, are natural pest repellents. The pocket forest also replaced an overgrown grass lot that was itself a habitat for pests, so the net effect should be an improvement for the neighborhood.

No. As neighbors with our own pets, this was something we took seriously in the planning process. By reducing pests like rats and rabbits through thoughtful plant selection, we reduce the food sources that attract coyotes. The pocket forest also replaced an open, unattended lot — an area coyotes could previously use undisturbed — with an actively maintained, regularly visited space, which tends to discourage wildlife from settling in.

The pocket forest was funded through an Environmental and Energy Affairs grant from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation — the first project of its kind in the state to use this grant. It did not use or affect the City of Malden's budget. Ongoing needs like new plants are supported by community donations; you can see what we're looking for on our Plant Wishlist.

Join our email list below for the most up-to-date information. We also share updates on Facebook and Reddit.

The Forestdale Pocket Forest is a community-led volunteer project, not a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. As a result, donations — whether of plants, materials, or funds — are not tax deductible.

That said, every contribution directly benefits the pocket forest and the neighborhood. If you'd like to help, the best ways are to volunteer your time or donate a plant from our Plant Wishlist.

There are two great ways to support the pocket forest: sign up to volunteer for maintenance and community events, or check out our Plant Wishlist to donate a plant we're hoping to add. Every little bit helps!