Edna Nelson, May 4th, 2024
Title
Edna Nelson, May 4th, 2024
Description
Edna Nelson talks about her involvement in the Manistique Community Treehouse Center’s garden. She shares her experience with flooding in the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood, and her theories as to why it’s gotten worse in recent years.
In partnership with the Manistique Community Treehouse Center
In partnership with the Manistique Community Treehouse Center
Publisher
Detroit Historical Society
Rights
Detroit Historical Society
Language
en-US
Narrator/Interviewee's Name
Edna Nelson
Brief Biography
Edna Nelson has lived in Detroit in 1967, and the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood since 1970. She was a clinical technician in Southfield before retirement, and became involved in the Manistique Treehouse Center’s early gardening efforts after the organization was founded in 2015.
Interviewer's Name
Doris Lanzkron-Tamarazo
Date
5/4/2024
Interview Length
13:51
Transcription
Doris Lanzkron-Tamarazo: I'm Doris Lanzkron-Tamarazo. It's May 4th, 2024, and I'm here with. Please say your name.
Edna Nelson: Edna Nelson.
DLT: And can you please spell your name for me.
EN: E d n a N e l s o n.
DLT: Okay, thank you. Do you live in the city of Detroit?
EN: Yes I do.
DLT: How long have you lived here?
EN: In the city of Detroit, or how long have I lived in the area?
DLT: Both.
EN: Well, I've been in the city since 1967, and I've been in this area since 1970. So that's been about what? 50 some odd years.
DLT: And what neighborhood do you live in?
EN: Jefferson Chalmers.
DLT: And what other neighborhoods have you lived in in the city?
EN: I lived over, I was on the east side on Springle. I don't know what neighborhood that is, I guess that's just the east side of Detroit.
DLT: And do you work in the city of Detroit?
EN: I didn't, no, I didn't work in the city of Detroit. I worked in Southfield.
DLT: What did you do there?
EN: I worked as a clinical technician in the medical field.
DLT: And what's your involvement with the Treehouse Center?
EN: Well, I met Miss Black about five years ago, and. She has things that I was interested in, especially like the gardening and stuff. So I was helping out with the garden.
DLT: And what made you interested in helping out with the gardening specifically?
EN: Cause, seemed like, she needed somebody to help her. Get it started. You know, planting, plants and seeds and everything and get its start growing and everything.
DLT: And so what were some of the things you did early on with the gardening program?
EN: You mean like our planting, what plants did we—
DLT: Yeah. What was that early work?
EN: Load of, like, our collard greens. Different types of greens and tomatoes, cucumbers, squash. Mostly, summer plants that we put in.
DLT: And how did you choose what to plant?
EN: Well, depends on how large the area is. If you got a lot of, like, cucumbers and stuff like that, you need more space because cucumbers are run up unless you're going to have them to go up or run up on a vine, not a vine, run up on a pole or something.
DLT: And what has the community involvement been with your gardening efforts?
EN: It took a hold. [Laughter] That's all I can say.
DLT: And, what do you feel that the effects on the community has been from the gardening? How has it helped the community?
EN: Well, in the beginning, people was coming to get plants and getting some of the plants that we grew there and used them for their benefits. But now I'm not that, I'm not that involved as I was before because I'm getting over 80 years old, so I have my work to do around my house, so I don't do as much with the gardeners as I used to do.
DLT: And do you know any of the people who are kind of taking over those duties?
EN: I know, I know one lady, the lady that live in back of me. But other than that, I don't know too many of the people that's taken over.
DLT: And how long have you been involved with the Treehouse center? How many years?
EN: It’s been about, I would say about six years. 5 to 6 years.
DLT: And when did you initially meet Tammy Black?
EN: About 5 or 6 years ago. She was in the community.
DLT: And what was she doing at that time?
EN: How did I meet Tammy? I think I met Tammy through Ms. Mills. And Ms. Mills was one of the ladies that went to the church that my daughter go to, and I met Tammy through Ms. Mills.
DLT: And what's the name of that church?
EN: What's the name of that church up on Jefferson? And, can't even think of the name of it now. What is the name of that church? It’s on Jefferson and Conyers. I can't even think of the name of the church.
DLT: It's no problem. And what other programs in the Treehouse have you been involved in besides the gardening?
EN: Well, I guess we're cleaning.
DLT: Yeah, definitely.
EN: Because we clean up around the, especially around the back part of the garden, weeding.
DLT: So just weeding or were cleaning up anything else? Like trash?
EN: Trash and stuff? Yes..
DLT: And do you think that there's less trash now in the neighborhood than there was before?
EN: I think it might seem like it's getting more of that. People come in and seem like they dumping now a little bit more.
DLT: And have you been involved with the Treehouse's solar efforts?
EN: You know, at the time that they was talking about the solar. I didn't think we could afford it, you know, the solar. So I didn't get involved with the solar.
DLT: Would you have been more interested in the solar if there were more affordable options?
EN: Yes, yes. Do you want me to turn off my phone?
DLT: And have you been involved in any of the Treehouse’s efforts to deal with flooding?
EN: Well, yes. We've been trying to get the flooding, because I do get a lot of flooding in my basement, especially when the flood comes through.
DLT: And can you tell me a little bit more about the effects of flooding on your own property?
EN: Well, what we did was, we had some guys come out and they dug up my whole backyard. And seemed like since we had that done, seems like it’s better, don’t seem like we get the flood that we was, cause he told us it was the tree. I mean, the tree was around the pipes that was in our backyard.
DLT: And what was that group that helped with that? Was that a private organization?
EN: Private organization, yes.
DLT: And do you know the name of that organization?
EN: No, I don't, that I forgot.
DLT: And have you received any city services for dealing with flooding or other environmental issues?
EN: No, no.
DLT: And how does the Treehouse Center, from your experience, educate your community about climate change?
EN: You know. I'm not involved with it too much now, but in the beginning it was like helping the senior citizens around, I guess that's what you were referring to. It helps the senior citizen. Especially with them in wheelchairs and stuff, it helps them come around to the, what they grow on the garden and everything. And they would help them to learn how to put plants in and get plants when they come to their capacity for people to, cause so many—
DLT: And are there any plans to expand the garden to grow different kinds of foods than has already been growing there?
EN: I think she grows almost—she grows a lot of stuff. I don't think it need no expanding. I think it just need just to continue to do what she's doing.
DLT: And are you aware of any other like greening or gardening efforts around the area?
EN: Not a garden as big as the one that she has. People have their own little flower pots that they put the tomato plants in.
DLT: Yeah.
EN: 1 or 2 cucumbers in a pot or something, grow something like that, you know. But not as big as the one that Tammy has.
DLT: And has the Treehouse worked to educate people on how to grow things at home as well?
EN: I think so. If they were to, I think children would come out and listen to what the adults are trying to tell them to do on how to plant the plants and everything, that would help them. Yes.
DLT: So if there could be one project that the Treehouse Center could do for the community, what would you want that to be?
EN: What would I want that to be? I think she’s doing a good job. I think if she continue to do what she's doing. And then, she need to get more people involved in the community to help out. Like I said, I'm getting to be a senior citizen now, and there’s just so much I can do, especially with the Treehouse and then do my own property as well.
DLT: So you think the Treehouse needs to get more younger members of the community?
EN: Yes, yes.
DLT: And are there efforts being done to try to do that at the moment?
EN: I think she is trying to get them, because I know she's getting her children involved in it. And so where your children go, if you've got friends or if your children have friends and you can bring them into the [].
DLT: And have you used the flooding app that the Treehouse developed with the National Weather Service?
EN: Have I used it?
DLT: Yeah. Have you personally used that app?
EN: No, I have not used it.
DLT: And you said that you were able to get some flooding mitigation from that work of the private group that came to your house. Would you say that flooding in general has gotten worse, better, about the same since you've lived in the neighborhood?
EN: I think the flooding is getting worse. Because I remember that back in the day we didn't have that flooding every 2 or 3 years where they would flood, the water would come down the streets and everything. We didn't have that. Especially ten years ago. We didn't handle flooding like that.
DLT: And why do you think it's getting worse?
EN: I think it's getting worse because at one time we used to put our garbage in the alley and they would keep the alley clean. And they would come by and cut the trees and everything and then— They just took care of the alley more than they do now. They just don't take care. If people don't take care of their alley in back of their house, then nobody else will take care of it. But we used to try to take care the alley in the back of our house.
DLT: And why do you think people aren't taking as good care of the alleys as they used to be?
EN: Because they're older. Because they're older. That's number one.
DLT: And, if the city could do some sort of project to help people with flooding or other environmental challenges, what would you want the city to do?
EN: Good question. [Laughter] I don't know what I want the city to do, but I think the city could— I don't think I have an answer for that. I don't think I have a, I really don't think I have an answer for that.
DLT: And did you have any final thoughts about anything we've been talking about?
EN: No.
DLT: Anything you'd want people to know about your community’s efforts or about the Treehouse Center?
EN: Well, just to help Tammy out and help her to get her garden and everything and get it started, and see if we can get some more children in the neighborhood involved in helping her with the garden and everything. That, that’s my main interest is the garden.
DLT: And did you have a lot of gardening experience before you got involved with the Treehouse Center?
EN: Yes, I did. I'm a Southerner, so we had a lot of gardens.
DLT: Growing kind of the same things that you grow at the center or were there new plants?
EN: Same things that I grow at the center.
DLT: All right, thank you very much for your time. That was all the questions I had for you.
EN: Oh, thank you!
Edna Nelson: Edna Nelson.
DLT: And can you please spell your name for me.
EN: E d n a N e l s o n.
DLT: Okay, thank you. Do you live in the city of Detroit?
EN: Yes I do.
DLT: How long have you lived here?
EN: In the city of Detroit, or how long have I lived in the area?
DLT: Both.
EN: Well, I've been in the city since 1967, and I've been in this area since 1970. So that's been about what? 50 some odd years.
DLT: And what neighborhood do you live in?
EN: Jefferson Chalmers.
DLT: And what other neighborhoods have you lived in in the city?
EN: I lived over, I was on the east side on Springle. I don't know what neighborhood that is, I guess that's just the east side of Detroit.
DLT: And do you work in the city of Detroit?
EN: I didn't, no, I didn't work in the city of Detroit. I worked in Southfield.
DLT: What did you do there?
EN: I worked as a clinical technician in the medical field.
DLT: And what's your involvement with the Treehouse Center?
EN: Well, I met Miss Black about five years ago, and. She has things that I was interested in, especially like the gardening and stuff. So I was helping out with the garden.
DLT: And what made you interested in helping out with the gardening specifically?
EN: Cause, seemed like, she needed somebody to help her. Get it started. You know, planting, plants and seeds and everything and get its start growing and everything.
DLT: And so what were some of the things you did early on with the gardening program?
EN: You mean like our planting, what plants did we—
DLT: Yeah. What was that early work?
EN: Load of, like, our collard greens. Different types of greens and tomatoes, cucumbers, squash. Mostly, summer plants that we put in.
DLT: And how did you choose what to plant?
EN: Well, depends on how large the area is. If you got a lot of, like, cucumbers and stuff like that, you need more space because cucumbers are run up unless you're going to have them to go up or run up on a vine, not a vine, run up on a pole or something.
DLT: And what has the community involvement been with your gardening efforts?
EN: It took a hold. [Laughter] That's all I can say.
DLT: And, what do you feel that the effects on the community has been from the gardening? How has it helped the community?
EN: Well, in the beginning, people was coming to get plants and getting some of the plants that we grew there and used them for their benefits. But now I'm not that, I'm not that involved as I was before because I'm getting over 80 years old, so I have my work to do around my house, so I don't do as much with the gardeners as I used to do.
DLT: And do you know any of the people who are kind of taking over those duties?
EN: I know, I know one lady, the lady that live in back of me. But other than that, I don't know too many of the people that's taken over.
DLT: And how long have you been involved with the Treehouse center? How many years?
EN: It’s been about, I would say about six years. 5 to 6 years.
DLT: And when did you initially meet Tammy Black?
EN: About 5 or 6 years ago. She was in the community.
DLT: And what was she doing at that time?
EN: How did I meet Tammy? I think I met Tammy through Ms. Mills. And Ms. Mills was one of the ladies that went to the church that my daughter go to, and I met Tammy through Ms. Mills.
DLT: And what's the name of that church?
EN: What's the name of that church up on Jefferson? And, can't even think of the name of it now. What is the name of that church? It’s on Jefferson and Conyers. I can't even think of the name of the church.
DLT: It's no problem. And what other programs in the Treehouse have you been involved in besides the gardening?
EN: Well, I guess we're cleaning.
DLT: Yeah, definitely.
EN: Because we clean up around the, especially around the back part of the garden, weeding.
DLT: So just weeding or were cleaning up anything else? Like trash?
EN: Trash and stuff? Yes..
DLT: And do you think that there's less trash now in the neighborhood than there was before?
EN: I think it might seem like it's getting more of that. People come in and seem like they dumping now a little bit more.
DLT: And have you been involved with the Treehouse's solar efforts?
EN: You know, at the time that they was talking about the solar. I didn't think we could afford it, you know, the solar. So I didn't get involved with the solar.
DLT: Would you have been more interested in the solar if there were more affordable options?
EN: Yes, yes. Do you want me to turn off my phone?
DLT: And have you been involved in any of the Treehouse’s efforts to deal with flooding?
EN: Well, yes. We've been trying to get the flooding, because I do get a lot of flooding in my basement, especially when the flood comes through.
DLT: And can you tell me a little bit more about the effects of flooding on your own property?
EN: Well, what we did was, we had some guys come out and they dug up my whole backyard. And seemed like since we had that done, seems like it’s better, don’t seem like we get the flood that we was, cause he told us it was the tree. I mean, the tree was around the pipes that was in our backyard.
DLT: And what was that group that helped with that? Was that a private organization?
EN: Private organization, yes.
DLT: And do you know the name of that organization?
EN: No, I don't, that I forgot.
DLT: And have you received any city services for dealing with flooding or other environmental issues?
EN: No, no.
DLT: And how does the Treehouse Center, from your experience, educate your community about climate change?
EN: You know. I'm not involved with it too much now, but in the beginning it was like helping the senior citizens around, I guess that's what you were referring to. It helps the senior citizen. Especially with them in wheelchairs and stuff, it helps them come around to the, what they grow on the garden and everything. And they would help them to learn how to put plants in and get plants when they come to their capacity for people to, cause so many—
DLT: And are there any plans to expand the garden to grow different kinds of foods than has already been growing there?
EN: I think she grows almost—she grows a lot of stuff. I don't think it need no expanding. I think it just need just to continue to do what she's doing.
DLT: And are you aware of any other like greening or gardening efforts around the area?
EN: Not a garden as big as the one that she has. People have their own little flower pots that they put the tomato plants in.
DLT: Yeah.
EN: 1 or 2 cucumbers in a pot or something, grow something like that, you know. But not as big as the one that Tammy has.
DLT: And has the Treehouse worked to educate people on how to grow things at home as well?
EN: I think so. If they were to, I think children would come out and listen to what the adults are trying to tell them to do on how to plant the plants and everything, that would help them. Yes.
DLT: So if there could be one project that the Treehouse Center could do for the community, what would you want that to be?
EN: What would I want that to be? I think she’s doing a good job. I think if she continue to do what she's doing. And then, she need to get more people involved in the community to help out. Like I said, I'm getting to be a senior citizen now, and there’s just so much I can do, especially with the Treehouse and then do my own property as well.
DLT: So you think the Treehouse needs to get more younger members of the community?
EN: Yes, yes.
DLT: And are there efforts being done to try to do that at the moment?
EN: I think she is trying to get them, because I know she's getting her children involved in it. And so where your children go, if you've got friends or if your children have friends and you can bring them into the [].
DLT: And have you used the flooding app that the Treehouse developed with the National Weather Service?
EN: Have I used it?
DLT: Yeah. Have you personally used that app?
EN: No, I have not used it.
DLT: And you said that you were able to get some flooding mitigation from that work of the private group that came to your house. Would you say that flooding in general has gotten worse, better, about the same since you've lived in the neighborhood?
EN: I think the flooding is getting worse. Because I remember that back in the day we didn't have that flooding every 2 or 3 years where they would flood, the water would come down the streets and everything. We didn't have that. Especially ten years ago. We didn't handle flooding like that.
DLT: And why do you think it's getting worse?
EN: I think it's getting worse because at one time we used to put our garbage in the alley and they would keep the alley clean. And they would come by and cut the trees and everything and then— They just took care of the alley more than they do now. They just don't take care. If people don't take care of their alley in back of their house, then nobody else will take care of it. But we used to try to take care the alley in the back of our house.
DLT: And why do you think people aren't taking as good care of the alleys as they used to be?
EN: Because they're older. Because they're older. That's number one.
DLT: And, if the city could do some sort of project to help people with flooding or other environmental challenges, what would you want the city to do?
EN: Good question. [Laughter] I don't know what I want the city to do, but I think the city could— I don't think I have an answer for that. I don't think I have a, I really don't think I have an answer for that.
DLT: And did you have any final thoughts about anything we've been talking about?
EN: No.
DLT: Anything you'd want people to know about your community’s efforts or about the Treehouse Center?
EN: Well, just to help Tammy out and help her to get her garden and everything and get it started, and see if we can get some more children in the neighborhood involved in helping her with the garden and everything. That, that’s my main interest is the garden.
DLT: And did you have a lot of gardening experience before you got involved with the Treehouse Center?
EN: Yes, I did. I'm a Southerner, so we had a lot of gardens.
DLT: Growing kind of the same things that you grow at the center or were there new plants?
EN: Same things that I grow at the center.
DLT: All right, thank you very much for your time. That was all the questions I had for you.
EN: Oh, thank you!
Files
Collection
Citation
“Edna Nelson, May 4th, 2024,” Detroit Historical Society Oral History Archive, accessed May 15, 2025, https://detroit1967.detroithistorical.org/items/show/1020.