Meridian Township Adds Three New Community-Based Gardens This Year

Three more community gardens sprouted up this year in Meridian Township, adding to a growing list that dates back 30 years.

LeRoy Harvey, recycling and energy coordinator for Meridian Township, says the new gardens are just a continuation of the support that has been building over the years and are due in large part to facilitators who take over each garden.

“I'm responsible for getting people in a room to have conversations about what needs to happen,” says Harvey. “Each garden facilitator takes the lead from there and really makes them happen.”

Some of the new happenings include Northwind Community Garden, a 5,000 square-foot plot shared between the East Lansing Food Cooperative, property owner Brian Hicks and about 20 residents; Marsh Pointe Community Garden, a partnership between the Lansing Garden Project and Haslett Boy Scout Troop 97 to construct raised bed gardens; and International Community Garden, an agreement between organizers and Okemos Public Schools to harvest a plot of land near the intersection of Mt. Hope and Okemos roads.

Harvey says organizing support for community gardens has been the most fun part of his job since being with the township two and a half years ago.

“The interest in them has been remarkable,” he says, “and each is unique with a different story to tell.”

Source: LeRoy Harvey, Meridian Township

Writer: Andy Balaskovitz
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