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Brainerd has a community garden again.
Volunteers finished setting up the garden last week to prepare 90 plots consisting of 5-foot by 10-foot or 5-foot by 24-foot plots. Residents who rented a plot have already started planting.
The community garden, located southwest of Kiwanis Park near the Mississippi River, was initiated in 2009 by members of the Blandin Community Leadership Program training program.
The initiative is currently being spearheaded by the Community Garden Committee made up of representatives of the Lakes Area Senior Activity Center, Brainerd Rotary and Sertoma clubs, Master Gardeners, Crow Wing County Extension, FFA Alumni and the Brainerd Parks and Recreation Department.
The garden was made possible after the city garden committee was awarded a $7,500 Statewide Health Improvement Program to fund start-up infrastructure costs, such as fencing to keep out animals and lumber to make raised plots to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
Jackie Froemming, Master Gardener program coordinator in Crow Wing County, said the countynow has four community gardens, as there are gardens in Crosslake, Nisswa, Crosby and now Brainerd.
“Having a community garden in Brainerd is long overdue,” said Froemming. “Master gardeners helped the residents who rented plots with a few tips to get things done and provided them with educational materials.
“This is their garden, we’re helping with the development, but this garden is the community’s. (Having the garden become a reality) took longer than I expected, but it’s June and its here and people are coming together. Anyone can do this, we do have a sweat equity program to help with cost for those who need the help.”
Residents, who do not have to live in city limits, can rent a plot at the community garden for the season. The smaller plots are $20 and the larger plots are $40. If a resident wants a plot but cannot afford it, they can enroll in the sweat equity program where they volunteer their time in the garden, by making arrangements with the Brainerd Parks and Recreation staff.
Residents then are in charge of growing their own vegetables and plants that must stay within their plot. They must maintain their plot, meaning pulling weeds and watering their plot. If the plot is not maintained, the Brainerd Parks and Recreation staff will give the resident a one week notice to clean it up and if it is not the plot will be re-assigned.
So far, 20 plots have been rented. Those interested in renting a plot can call the Brainerd Park and Recreation Department at 828-2320.
Kris Schubert, Brainerd human resource coordinator and a Brainerd FFA Alumni member, was one of the members of the Blandin Leadership Program who came up with the idea. Schubert said the idea came up because Brainerd’s former community garden, known as the Charlie Peterson Garden and located near Brainerd Regional Human Services Center, closed after the state sold the land.
“We thought it was important to have a community garden in Brainerd,” said Schubert. “People like to grow their own food because it’s cheaper and healthier. Plus they’ll get to meet their neighbors while they’re in the garden that will foster community connections.”
Schubert said there were about 20-25 who helped with the development of the project. Volunteers included Tad Hoskins of Tad Hoskins Construction, who oversaw the garden development project; DNR staff assisted and oversaw the fence construction; Jeff Fitch supplied the equipment for tilling the garden and hauling black dirt for the raised beds; Silver Star Industries donated the fence gates; Brainerd General Rental offered reduced rates on Skid Steer rental; Menards donated materials for the Information Kiosk; Rick Bricker of Crystal Cleaners who volunteered time and equipment for the garden development; Fred Underhill in finalizing the project; and many other volunteers.
Bricker, a Rotary Club and Blandin member, said the development of the garden is “a miracle,” because of how it all came together with the city donating the land and how the city committee was approved for the SHIP grant.
Marc Halverson, Rotary member and volunteer, helped mark off the plots last week for the garden. Halverson said the community garden is a great thing. He said there is water at the site for watering plants and fencing to keep out the animals.
Halverson said he does not have a garden at home, so he may rent a plot in the community garden.
“I sell flowers for a living so I’m interested in gardening,” said Halverson, owner of Brainerd Floral.
Former Brainerd City Council member Anne Nelson Fisher brought her two daughters, Sylvia, 14, and Thea, 10, to help set up the garden. Fisher, who was part of the Blandin group, said the community garden will help foster community relationships.
Fisher said the garden is great for residents who do not have the space at their home for a garden, as it gives them the opportunity to grow their own food or garden.
Hoskins, a Sertoma member, who helped install the entrance gates at the garden said he has always volunteered his time because of the philanthropy. Hoskins said he has always been interested in gardening. He has two large gardens at home and he donates the food to the Soup Kitchen and the local food shelf.
“I was involved in the community garden in Little Falls when I lived there,” said Hoskins.
JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.
