COMMUNITY GARDEN Cultivating More Than Plants BY ANNA SWARTZ
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ucked behind St. Clair Shores Civic Arena, a transformed space has literally bloomed into a unique place for gardeners and gatherings. In its fourth year, the St. Clair Shores Community Garden offers engagement for residents with not just communal gardening, but also social events throughout the season. “The garden has evolved since it was ϐirst conceived,” said Paul Bjorngaard, St. Clair Shores Community Garden Committee co-chair. “It started mostly as a place to just grow things and evolved into a place that allows for even more community engagement than we originally imagined.” The garden was the brainchild of Bjorngaard and a friend who were both serving on the St. Clair Shores Cool City Committee at the time. The garden has since been spun off into its own separate committee. The garden sits on a roughly halfacre plot of land and boasts a total of 54 raised beds (2,250 square feet of gardening space). Twenty of these beds are rented to residents, and the rest are Plans for 2022 events include yoga in the garden to increase pollination, in the garden, arts and crafts, plant- will be doing a presentation on the community beds. a-seed for kids, as well as story time basics of beekeeping. To stay up to The garden also includes three large events with community leaders and date on upcoming events, follow the ϐlower beds and will soon have ADA- ϐirst responders. The Fall into Fun garden online at www.facebook.com/ compliant beds that are wheelchair Festival, which was a hit last year, will SCSCommunityGarden be back again with pumpkin painting, accessible, Bjorngaard says. story time, costumes, cider and The garden is located behind Civic Volunteers are always welcome in the donuts. In addition, local beekeeper Arena, 2000 Stephens St. in St. Clair garden to help with weeding, watering, Mike Lawler from Unbeelievable Shores. harvesting and general maintenance. Honey, who will be installing two hives A “harvest payment” will be given to The St. Clair Shores Community Garden offers a total of 54 raised beds. Aerial Photo by Ron Warren / www.RonWarrenPhotography.com volunteers, says Bjorngaard. To inquire about volunteering, send an email to (L-R) St. Clair Shores Community Garden Committee Members: Secretary Tracy Hayden, Joe Babula, Co-chairs Cyndi George and Paul Bjorngaard scscommunitygarden@gmail.com. Bottom and background photos courtesy of Cyndi George
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