|
Reynoldsburg’s first community garden is part of tour
Reynoldsburg’s inaugural community garden will be among several featured as part of the 11th annual Reynoldsburg garden tour, held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 26.
According to Jason Shamblin, parks and recreation director, the Reynoldsburg community has welcomed Livingston Community Gardens, located at 6303 Livingston Ave., with open arms.
“We actually filled all our available spots prior to opening in April,” he said. “We were really overwhelmed with the positive response we had.” Shamblin said all 44 of the 10-foot-by-20-foot full plots, as well as four half plots, are already sprouting a variety of fruits, vegetables and flowers. Each full plot costs $30 to rent. “Everything from potatoes and squash to tomatoes and broccoli,” he said. “It’s all out there.” A committee of volunteers created the layout of the gardens, in addition to guidelines for participants. “We used a lot of volunteers to build the fences and spread some of the amendment material,” Shamblin said. “It really has been an exciting process.” He credited Mark Waite, a member of Sustainable Reynoldsburg, with helping the project come to fruition. “He’s been involved since day one,” Shamblin said. In fact, the endeavor has been so successful, they are already planning a second community garden for next year, possibly to be located in Civic Park. “That property is owned by the township,” Shamblin noted. “They have been huge supporters of this project, and it’s been a wonderful partnership.” A bonus of the project is that any extra produce will be donated to area food banks, Shamblin said. In addition, the gardeners have made new friends as they learned who their “neighbors” are in the community garden. “It’s not only about growing a garden,” Shamblin said. “It’s also fostering a sense of community pride.” Other garden tour stops include: • Alexander W. Livingston House, 1792 Graham Road • Debi Comer, 7661 Burkey Drive • Pat Rolwing, 7651 Burkey Drive • Kris Reneco, 7679 Godfrey Circle • Janice Blay, 7677 Godfrey Circle • Alicia and Dean Larsen, 7850 Priestley Drive The garden tour is sponsored by the Alexander W. Livingston House Society and the Reynoldsburg Parks and Recreation Department. There is no charge for the tour, and brochures and maps are available at each stop. To be added to the waiting list to participate in next year’s community garden, contact the Reynoldsburg Parks and Recreation Department at (614) 322-6806.
|