Community Gardens poised to open soon

AMENITIES

GRF is poised to open the new Community Gardens, located at the 1.8 Acres, this month. The project, which was completed on time and within budget, will provide 248 spaces, including 25 ADA compliant ones, for residents to grow their own fresh produce as well as share with their neighbors.

The Recreation Department has been coordinating the culling of the waitlist behind the scenes. It will begin assigning lots to former lessees—and to those on the waiting list who responded with an application—beginning on June 17. Those who are assigned a lot will receive a letter from Recreation inviting them to come into the office to complete the lease and receive their lot number.

The same day, the waiting list will go live on www.lwsb.com, where new applicants may add their names to the list for an opportunity to have a garden lot in the future.

An official grand opening of the facility will be held June 26 at 1:30 p.m. at the Community Gardens. The event will feature a ribbon cutting by both current and former GRF Board members who made this happen. Transportation will provide a shuttle from Clubhouse 4 parking lot as the street access will be closed during the event. An on-call bus service is also available by calling 562431-6586, ext. 2379.

“The construction of the Community Gardens created 248 farming plots which will enhance the community capacity to provide food during emergency incidents as well as year-round,” said GRF Director Nick Massetti, who represents Mutual 17. “It also will help build community cohesion, reduce isolation, increase connectedness and provide opportunities for exercise.”

Massetti was instrumental in getting this project done and has generously donated a nine-piece gardening tool kit to be raffled off at the ribbon cutting. All residents are welcome to attend. For more information, email kathyt@lwsb.com.

—Recreation Manager Kathy Thayer

The Community Garden is expected to be completed on time and un - der budget with the grand opening set for June 26. Special thanks to those who were instrumental in shepherding the project, including GRF Directors Camille Thompson, Nick Massetti and Teri Nugent (center, l-r). They are flanked by Service Maintenance staff Tony Bretado (far left) and Abraham Rubio (far right) and Physical Properties Manager Kevin Black (second from right).

Ruth Osborn

Bill Sear