Over the past few years, many residents would have to wait, sometimes for years, to have the chance to garden at the North Royalton Community Garden. Now, there are gardening opportunities available. Plans are also being discussed to expand the garden, with the blessing of the city. “The Community Garden Board, and our garden members have decided that this is a wonderful opportunity for the garden and look forward to the expansion,” said Garden Coordinator, Dejana Cinquepalmi.
The North Royalton Community Garden was built in 2009 and started up in 2010. It is located at 14788 State Road in Memorial Park. The garden is an organic, not-for-profit garden that provides water and necessary tools, and is open to North Royalton residents. Opening day for the garden will be Saturday, March 24, where members will be asked to help re-build some of the plots. Saturday, April 7 will be a day for general garden clean up, with April 21 set up as a rain date.
The group is always looking for topsoil, garden soil and compost, which are offered to the gardeners for their use. The North Royalton Community Garden has been very successful in their harvest of a myriad of produce, including tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, peppers, a multitude of greens, beans, eggplant and zucchini, which has been donated to the North Royalton Senior Center, Meals on Wheels and local nursing homes. Last year the Community Garden donated 726.88 pounds pounds of produce back to the community, a nice increase from 630 the previous year. The group recently procured a grant from Cargill Corporation that will be used to replace the boards that form the plots.
Discussion between the garden and city officials has been taking place regarding the expansion of the garden, which has been presented as an Eagle Scout project. Final confirmation of the project has not yet taken place. First, the property needs to be checked to see if it is suitable for gardening. The property has to be tested to see if there is any type of contamination. Utility lines will be located and marked by the city. If all checks out, the plan proposes that the scout will remove the trees, remove some concrete that is in the area, level the property and install water lines. “Then he will remove the current East fence and build a new fence enclosing the expanded 25×75-foot area,” said Cinquepalmi.
“Our hope is that this first part is completed this year, but understand that with all the city planning and projects going on for the Bicentennial, it may not be possible,” said Cinquepalmi. Once that is completed, possibly another scout project will include building and installing new plots and installing pathways. If that is not possible, the garden members would then complete the work, installing new, larger plots either at the end of this year or in 2019.
At this time, there are a few 10×10-foot plots available, as well as a raised box. Anyone interested in gardening this year, or being placed on the list are encouraged to call, as some may still become available. Those residents interested should contact Gloria Sheppard at 440-237-7212 or through email at nrcg2015@yahoo.com. Visit their facebook page at North Royalton Community Garden for gardening tips and community garden info, at www.facebook.com/pages/North-Royalton-Community-Garden. “Everyone is positive about the garden. Gardeners are really enthusiastic about planning and starting their gardens,” said Cinquepalmi.
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer