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Community Gardens
Mission
Our mission at the community gardens is to foster a vibrant and resilient community by promoting healthy eating practices, enhancing mental health and well-being, fostering social connections, and encouraging physical activity. We aim to achieve this by not only providing access to healthy, organic food for the community but also by creating educational opportunities to empower individuals in Texarkana to make informed choices about their nutrition and overall health. Through our gardens, we strive to cultivate a sense of belonging, inspire collaboration, and strengthen the bonds within our community. Together, we are sowing the seeds of positive change and cultivating a healthier future for all.
Spruce Street Community Garden
Welcome to Spruce Street community Garden! Our vibrant and flourishing Garden is a representation of the power of Community, and beauty of nature. Nestled next to the Texarkana, Texas Health Department this garden is a community spot where people of all backgrounds and ages can come together to cultivate, Learn, and connect.
The garden Includes two raised beds with a total of 232 Square feet with over 200 plants. From plump tomatoes and vibrant peppers to leafy greens and aromatic herbs, our gardeners take pride in growing an array of fresh, healthy, and delicious vegetables that are available and for the public. This garden also includes 5 trellises to provide shade as well as benches and tables to sit and enjoy the lush vegetable patches. This garden is lined with pavers around the beds making it handicap accessible allowing all ages of people to come enjoy and learn. Another fun addition to the community Garden is our very own Public Potting stand it is a stand made from recycled pallets for the use of the public. It has everything you need to start your own garden from Pots, potting soil, mulch, and of course an array of plants for you to take donated by our Garden centers in Bowie County.
Collins Community Garden
Welcome to Collins Community Garden, a vibrant space next to the Collins Senior Center in Ferguson Park. Our goal is to bring people of all ages together through the joy of gardening. Join us in fostering connections and celebrating our diverse community. Let us grow together at Collins Community Garden.
At Collins Community Garden, you will find a thoughtfully designed space that includes five raised beds accompanied by four beautifully arching trellises. These raised beds offer numerous advantages, including improved accessibility, efficient use of space, and better soil control. They provide a convenient height that minimizes the need for bending or kneeling, making gardening more accessible for individuals of all ages and physical abilities. The raised beds also allow for optimal soil drainage and prevent soil compaction, promoting healthier plant growth and reducing the risk of waterlogging. This garden also includes the four arching trellises that add an enchanting aesthetic touch to the garden, serving both as functional structures for vining plants such as cherry tomatoes and cucumbers to climb and as visually appealing focal points. These trellises not only maximize vertical space utilization but also create a sense of beauty and vertical interest, enhancing the overall charm of the garden. Collins Community Garden provides an inviting and visually captivating atmosphere for all gardening enthusiasts to enjoy.
Rose Hill Community Garden
Welcome to the vibrant Rose Hill Community Garden, where a "bright green ray of sunshine" has been added to the lively corner of Milam and West 13th Street in Texarkana, TX.
This enchanting garden was lovingly planted during the Great Texas Trash Off and the Texas A&M Big Event on April 1, 2023. A spirited team of approximately 40 volunteers, including neighbors, city staff, non-profit organizations, schools, fraternities, and sororities, joined forces to not only rebuild and plant but also to beautify our beloved Rose Hill Neighborhood Community.
Our garden boasts eleven raised garden boxes and eight elevated garden boxes, along with three inviting picnic tables and a rainwater-catching water tank. In addition to the captivating flowers, we have carefully nurtured apple and fig trees. After months of dedicated effort, we are delighted to witness the flourishing growth of zucchini, squash, green peppers, tomatoes, fig trees, and strawberries, all of which are graciously available free of charge to the Rose Hill Community and beyond.
With the unwavering support of our caring citizens and the invaluable assistance of our dedicated volunteers, we are committed to the ongoing maintenance of the Rose Hill Community Garden, ensuring it continues to be a symbol of hope and a "bright green ray of sunshine" in our community.
New town Community Garden
Welcome to the Newtown neighborhood community garden! Located at Earnest F Bell Park, our garden is thriving with a vibrant community spirit. With the help of our dedicated volunteers, we ensure its success daily. Together, we harvest a variety of fresh produce including squash, cherry tomatoes, green tomatoes, small cucumbers for pickles, and chipotle peppers. Our garden takes pride in being a family-oriented community that aims to support those in need.
The garden encompasses 15 raised beds with strategically aligned fencing to promote the growth of our vine plants. Additionally, we have a 700-gallon rain catcher as a backup water source, ensuring that our garden remains well-nourished. Our diverse selection of plants includes tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, blackberries, grapes, sweet peppers, potatoes, and okra. We strive to cultivate a bountiful and inclusive environment for everyone to enjoy.
Beverly Community Garden
Welcome to Beverly Heights Community Garden, a flourishing oasis in the heart of Beverly Heights, a vibrant and developing area. We are excited to embark on this journey of redeveloping a community garden that will soon come to life with the help of a grant in 2024.
While our garden may currently be empty, we envision a space that will thrive with lush vegetation, beautiful flowers, and the vibrant energy of community members coming together to nurture and cultivate the land. With the support of the upcoming grant, we will be able to transform this space into a flourishing garden that will serve as a gathering place for neighbors and residents.
Benefits of Community Gardens
The benefits of Community gardens include Physical Health, Mental Health and Stress Relief, Nutritional Benefits, Environmental Stewardship, Community Engagement and Social Connections, Education, and Skill Development, and Aesthetics and Beauty. Engaging in gardening activities, such as digging, planting, weeding, and harvesting, offers older adult’s opportunities for physical exercise and movement that contribute to healthy aging. It improves flexibility, strength, and coordination, while also promoting cardiovascular health and weight management. Gardening supports joint mobility, reduces the risk of falls, and enhances overall mobility.
A study conducted in 2023 by the U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community states the new epidemic today is Loneliness. Gardening is a way to have a positive impact against this epidemic and to improve on mental health and overall well-being. It offers a chance to connect with nature, reduce stress levels, and promote relaxation. Community gardens not only help your own mental health, but they also bring people together, fostering a sense of belonging and social cohesion. They provide spaces for interaction, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among individuals from diverse backgrounds. Gardening in a communal setting encourages teamwork, builds friendships, and strengthens community ties.
Gardening allows individuals to grow their own fresh, organic produce. This promotes access to nutritious food options, as well as the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and herbs rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. According to the Journal of Preventive Medicine, “Nutritional inadequacy” involves an intake of nutrients that is lower than the estimated average requirement, whereas “nutritional deficiency” consists of severely reduced levels of one or more nutrients, making the body unable to normally perform its functions and thus leading to an increased risk of several diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.” According to the CDC states that 92 percent of the US population is suffering from at least one mineral or vitamin deficiency based on the Dietary Reference Intakes. One of the most common deficiencies is Vitamin D. According to a US National survey in 2007-2010, 94.3% of Americans do not meet their daily requirements. Your body makes vitamin D when your bare skin is exposed to the sun, and just simply gardening for a couple hours a week can help you meet your requirements.
Gardening also helps promotes environmental sustainability. We strive to focus in our gardens to use native pollinators and plants. By growing these plants, individuals contribute to cleaner air, as plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Gardens also provide a habitat for pollinators, helping to support biodiversity and protect ecosystems. Furthermore, practicing organic gardening methods reduces the use of harmful chemicals used in pesticides and fertilizing products, benefiting both human health and the environment.
Gardening offers valuable educational opportunities for people of all ages. It helps teach principles of biology, ecology, and sustainability. Gardening also develops practical skills such as planning, problem-solving, and horticultural techniques. Through workshops, classes, and shared experiences, community gardens provide platforms for learning and personal growth. Workshops we have planned in the future include W.I.C cooking demonstrations to educate individuals such as Pregnant or nursing women to incorporate natural produce into their everyday meals. Helping these individuals meet their nutritional requirements.
Lastly, Gardens contribute to the visual appeal of neighborhoods, enhancing the overall quality of life in communities. They create attractive and serene spaces that promote relaxation and enjoyment. Beautiful gardens can inspire creativity, spark joy, and serve as a source of inspiration for residents and visitors alike.
How to volunteer
We are deeply committed to supporting our community, and we warmly welcome volunteers who share our passion for community gardens and the goal of helping Texarkana shed a million pounds. Our mission is to create a positive impact on the health and well-being of our community members, and we firmly believe that by working together, we can achieve remarkable results. We value the dedication and enthusiasm of volunteers, recognizing that their contributions play a crucial role in the success of our community gardens. Whether it is through assisting with garden maintenance, organizing educational workshops, or fostering social connections among participants, volunteers are instrumental in creating a thriving and vibrant gardening community. We appreciate and embrace the collective effort of volunteers and invite everyone who shares our vision to join us in this meaningful journey towards a healthier Texarkana. Together, we can make a significant difference and empower our community to achieve their wellness goals.
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Cheryl Mills
COMMUNITY OUTREACH, LVN
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Joseph Iiams
Community Health Worker