Situated inside of Washington Lake Park is Washington Township’s community garden, a place where residents have an open and accessible place to garden.
The area consists of 24 10 by 10 garden plots that residents are free to plant whatever they want. These could be vegetables, fruits and flowers that can be harvested and cultivated at a later date. While registrations have already came and went, the garden still remains open for the public to explore. It also has a greenhouse that is adjacent to the garden.
“We have water access,” said Leon Lakritz, the chairman of the open space advisory committee, who runs the garden, “so you don’t have to bring your own. We also have deer fences, and you’re allowed to plant what you want. We have someone who grows veggies, like zucchini and squash. Whatever he grows, we donate to the local food pantry, Mother’s Cupboard.
“We grow milkweeds and marigolds in our greenhouse and it’s open to anyone who wants them. We recently gave out 1400 milkweeds and marigolds to people. We also grow other flowers from in there.”
One of the goals of the garden, according to its website, when it was founded in 2013, is to help educate people about the importance of gardening and its benefits to a community.
“The WTCG exists to encourage and support members in their common interest in organic gardening,” says the website, “to provide instruction and education to new gardeners through our garden mentor program and to provide a place where members can share and exchange ideas while producing healthy food and flowers for friends and family. We hope the garden will be a place where any person can come for friendship, knowledge and relaxation.”
Each registration period for a plot begins every year on March 1. Space is limited and plot acquisitions are on a first come, first serve basis. There is also a small ee required to register that covers the whole season.
“The garden is situated in the largest municipal park in the state, which covers 320 acres,” Lakritz explains. “It is a major part of this community.”
The community garden in Washington Lake Park enables residents to be able to care for a number of plants that the community can peruse at their leisure during the spring and summer.
