Community gardens are a wonderful way to engage in an activity which benefits urban neighborhoods, by careful tending and quenching the thirst of flora and vegetation with much needed H2O. The garden even has plots to produce edibles for the local food pantry. Such is the Meadowood Community Garden and so much more.
The Meadowood Community Garden was established in 2008 with assistance from the Community Action Coalition, providing start up funding as well as direction needed to launch a community garden.
Plot fees from neighborhood gardeners provide funding for items needed to maintain a successful and productive garden. Former garden leader and artist, Sheri Rembert, developed a plan for a children's garden, which included a pathway to make the garden inviting for neighborhood youth. This year the plan was put into action by present garden leader, Leslie Stephany, who then enlisted local mosaic artist, Marcia Yapp, to facilitate the implementation of the pathway.
With Marcia's mentoring, neighborhood youth created individual mosaic stepping stones, which each child (and a few adults) created to reflect their personality and present a colorful, meandering pathway to beckon young gardeners to enter. Two concrete columns have now been added at the entrance to the children's garden and each column will be covered with mosaic tiles.
Wooden fencing was partially donated, the rest purchased with grant funds and has recently been placed around the garden perimeter, which will be treated and painted to further improve the garden's visual appearance, as well as protect the fruits of gardener's labors. This space is not only pleasing to the eye but a symbol of community working together, to create a sacred space which children and adults alike can take pride in. The children's garden has an established strawberry bed, a variety of vegetables and flowers and will soon include blueberries. Children assist in planting and harvesting and are educated as to the value of growing their own food. Seedlings for the children's garden are generously donated annually by the Oakhill Correctional Institution.
There will be an upcoming storytelling in the garden featuring Patsy McKenzie and Kevin Wery who are fellow gardeners and Co-Founders of the "Fairness Awareness Foundation". Scheduled date is pending.
Congratulations fellow gardeners on a job well done, for great leadership and much appreciated volunteers, adults and youth alike. There is no better way to build
community and honor mother earth than to create a place of beauty and provide delicious fruits and vegetables as well as lovely flowers in this urban "garden of enlightenment".
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