Monday, April 14, 2008

Dallas Community Garden breaks ground

By Stephanie Parker

DALLAS — People of all ages came to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Community Garden of Lake Highlands. The 12,000 square foot garden located at 7901 Goforth Road in Dallas is one of just five community gardens granted to cities nationwide by Scotts Miracle-Gro. The lawn, garden, and outdoor products company provided organic soil, plant food and other gardening necessities while Keep America Beautiful and community volunteers helped beautify the garden.

The ceremony drew big names such as Su Lok from Scotts Miracle-Gro, Fran Phillips from Keep Dallas Beautiful; Gail Cunningham from Keep America Beautiful; TV host, author and master gardener Rebecca Kolls; Dallas Assistant City Manager Jill Jordan; and Dallas City Councilman Jerry Allen. Meghna Tare, who wrote the grant, and A.L. Nickerson, a seasoned community gardener, were also there.

Allen gave an enthusiastic speech, saying “Dallas is actually one of the greenest cities; it just doesn’t know how to promote it.” The Community Garden will hopefully unite people while making them aware of the city's green initiatives. He noted that there were several children in attendance, which was what “it’s all about.”

Kolls agreed, saying that everyone was there because someone planted the seed for them when they were younger. She said to all the young adults and kids, “We’ve got you! One day you’ll be up here doing the same thing as all of us.” It seemed the kids needed no motivation to work; all excitedly picked up a shovel or at least planted a flower in a pot they made at Kolls’ booth.

Allen hopes that the success of this community garden will bring many more around Dallas. Even just a few hours before the groundbreaking ceremony, he said that people were calling to sign up for one of the thirty-one available plots. If the demand increases, Dallas will certainly see more of these green community gardens growing in their neighborhoods.

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