Mayor proclaims August 23-29 National Community Gardening Week in Bloomington

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 25, 2009

For information, please contact: Danny Lopez, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-CITY, lopezd@bloomington.in.gov

Bloomington, IN - Mayor Mark Kruzan announced today that August 23-29 is being celebrated as National Community Gardening Week in Bloomington. The week helps celebrate the "Be Green Bloomington" theme, part of the City's Be Bloomington community character initiative.

Community gardens help promote knowledge of gardening, aide in the protection of native trees, birds, shrubs and wild flowers, foster a stronger sense of community, and enhance our ability to eat healthy, nutritious foods.

The City of Bloomington is home to two very special community gardening spaces. The Willie Streeter Community Gardens on South Highland Ave. is the Community Garden Program's oldest and largest garden area. Since opening in 1984, the gardens have grown to include 114 organic garden plots, 54 conventional garden plots and 10 raised beds.

Located in Crestmont Park, the Crestmont Community Gardens give gardeners the opportunity to learn and practice the techniques of organic gardening. Established in 1997, the gardens now include 44 garden plots and four raised beds.

Along with visiting these gardens, community members are encouraged to visit the Garden Task Force information table at the Bloomington Community Farmers' Market this Saturday, August 29. The table will include information on community garden opportunities in Bloomington, gardening classes and food security.

For more information about renting a garden plot at either Community Garden, or about the annual Plant a Row for the Hungry campaign, contact Bradley Drake in the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department at 349-3704.

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