Medina resident urges board to back community garden in village

Megg Wakefield

MEDINA – A local resident is asking the Village Board to back an effort to create a community garden in Medina.

Megg Wakefield said the effort would beautify part of the village and engage residents in growing vegetables.

She asked the board to think about a spot in the village for a garden. It could be at a park, a vacant lot, or on other village-owned land, perhaps next to the village office on Park Avenue.

She would like a spot in the village that is easily accessible to many residents, including those with limited transportation.

Wakefield said the garden could start small this year. She envisions it being “as low impact as possible.”

There may be grants available or donations to help with the costs for seeds, raised beds and other supplies.

Wakefield pointed to Holley’s community garden as a model. The Medina Village Board asked Wakefield to submit information on how the Holley garden functions.

Holley opened its community garden in 2017 on Route 31 on the east side of the village. The garden opened in the spring 2017 when the Clarendon Lions Club and the Myron Holley Garden Club agreed to supervise the project, which was facilitated by a $15,000 grant through the Orleans County Public Health Department. The grant was supplied by the Medical Reserve Corporation under the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Association of City, County and Health Officials.

Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman would like to pick a site in the village soon because the spring planting season isn’t too far away.

“It’s a great idea,” she said during Monday’s Village Board meeting. “It’s great for communities.”

Wakefield said she would start a Facebook group for the Medina Community Garden. Others interested in the effort can email her at Meggan.wakefield@gmail.com.

File photo: Holley celebrated the opening of its community garden in May 2017.