Monday, April 20, 2009

NEW COMMUNITY GARDEN ON COOKMAN AVE IN ASBURY PARK

The Garden of Joy is delighted to announce that due to the support and incredible kindness of Sean and Don Hollingsworth, we will be able to turn their empty lot at 715 Cookman Ave. into the crown jewel of our sustainable Gardens of Joy!

Two years ago, The Garden of Joy began as a small sustainable sliver at Trinity Episcopal Church (which still steadfastly supports us), expanded with a larger spot at the West Side Community Center, then a City owned property on Springwood Ave., without the security of a larger, permanent spot in which to “plant roots” for a fixed community garden.

Now, through the generosity of Sean and Don, a spot in the prime Asbury Park downtown area, is ours to garden on a more permanent basis!

Our mission remains: commitment to providing access to fresh, organic, locally grown produce to both our poorer residents and better heeled residents, while using gardening as a base for education and career possibilities through plant knowledge.

Our 715 Cookman Garden of Joy will be a beautiful, welcoming oasis to downtown Asbury, and we have exciting plans for this year, and beyond.

Now, with the 3 truckloads of gardening soil donated by Santi Arana, The Garden of Joy volunteers are ready to rock and roll! Dedication of our Gardens of Joy will be at the start of our Season, in June. We are still awaiting word from the City as to whether we can have a greenhouse on the property so we can expand our growing season. The City has also promised us a third Garden for the West Side, which we are hoping will be a permanent spot for our West Side Garden of Joy.

Patricia Betty, 732/502-9760