A community garden will soon be blossoming in Carthage’s Griggs Park as part of a joint effort between H.E.R.E. 4 Carthage and the Carthage parts and recreation department thanks to a grant from The Missouri Foundation for Health and the Adopt-A-Park program from the city.
The mission of H.E.R.E. 4 Carthage is to grow a healthier community by increasing opportunities for residents to move more and eat better.
“Gardening is a great way to exercise, enjoy time outdoors, spend time in the community, recharge from the stress of the day, learn a new skill, and more,” said Chanti Beckham, community health coordinator with H.E.R.E. 4 Carthage. “And, the most important benefit, supplying fresh produce to enhance our health.”
Mark Peterson, parks and recreation director, said he was approached by H.E.R.E. 4 Carthage to help find space in one of the city parks that was easily accessible and had room to grow. The team narrowed it down to Griggs Park because of its location by walking, biking and driving.
The garden will be located in the Southeast corner. The area will have 17 raised beds to rent to community members or groups, as well as a large community bed that will be used for activities, education and supplying produce to those in need.
The plan is to have the garden ready for spring and a portion of the produce from the garden will be donated to local food banks.
A Carthage Community Gardens Committee will be established to set up rules and regulations. The garden will be handed over to the city after the first year and maintained and operated by the parks department by spring 2021.
Anyone interested in helping with gardening, teaching, volunteering or interested in becoming a committee member can email [email protected].
