The Tumwater City Council discussed on Tuesday the proposal to build the first community garden in the city in line with the creation of the Tumwater Metropolitan Park District (TMPD).
Tumwater United Methodist Church (UMC) submitted the Community Garden Plan, a three-phase garden program with a total anticipated cost of $17,700.
The entire budget for the TMPD, to support city-wide garden opportunities, is being discussed at $200,000.
"We are planning to… provide garden areas for the community, and raise food for the Thurston County Food Bank," the proposal read. "These gardens may include a children's garden, a teaching garden, and a compost bin."
Phase 1 of the proposal includes raised beds open to community members who have no garden space of their own. Phase II is a garden to raise fruits and vegetables for the Thurston County Food Bank. Phase III is an orchard project to grow fruit trees on what was described as the property's terrace.
The Food Bank garden labor would come from church members and interested community gardeners that adopt raised beds for their private use.
Tumwater UMC is eyeing to put the garden in their playground area, shed area or parking area.
"I think this is a great opportunity, a great place for us to begin," Councilmember Joan Cathey said. "We're engaging the community, and we're doing it with a group that is committed to the plan."
The City would not operate or manage the garden but would only act as a support role and assist with infrastructure and initial organization and planning.
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Drutty
Marvelous idea--a win-win for all~! Thank you UMC.
Thursday, February 10, 2022 Report this
deborama
I am the garden coordinator for the Tumwater Community Garden. We'll be accepting applications for persons interested in having a raised bed garden very soon. We would love to have a follow up article on this and provide our contact information. -Deb Williams
Friday, February 11, 2022 Report this