Dig This! Tahoe Park Community Garden Opens
Tahoe Park residents braved wind and cloudy skies Saturday to attend the grand opening of the Tahoe Park Community Garden. Wielding golden scissors, a team including Congresswoman Doris Matsui and Sacramento City Councilmember Kevin McCarty cut the ceremonial red ribbon.
"This will only enhance your neighborhood," Matsui said, "this gives you a gathering place." She went on to say that community gardens reduce crime and vandalism "because everyone now has a stake in the community."
The garden, which is on the campus of Tahoe Park Elementary, was created as a means to fight obesity and promote healthy lifestyle choices and eating habits. "Young people sometimes think food comes from McDonald's, and not from the dirt" said McCarty.
"This will only enhance your neighborhood," Matsui said, "this gives you a gathering place." She went on to say that community gardens reduce crime and vandalism "because everyone now has a stake in the community."
The garden, which is on the campus of Tahoe Park Elementary, was created as a means to fight obesity and promote healthy lifestyle choices and eating habits. "Young people sometimes think food comes from McDonald's, and not from the dirt" said McCarty.
Added Matsui, "It teaches self-reliance. You don't have to rely on supermarkets."
McCarty explained that the $20,000 for the garden came from cell towers. "There is a city fee on all cell phone towers," he said. "We used the proceeds (for the creation of the garden)."
Home Depot donated the flowers that community members planted at the opening and the vegetables were donated by Bill Maynard of the Community Coalition. Maynard also designed the garden.
After brief opening remarks the festivities began. Matsui and McCarty shook hands and answered questions as residents roamed the garden and visited vendor booths. Balloons and a bounce house kept the kids happy.
McCarty explained that the $20,000 for the garden came from cell towers. "There is a city fee on all cell phone towers," he said. "We used the proceeds (for the creation of the garden)."
Home Depot donated the flowers that community members planted at the opening and the vegetables were donated by Bill Maynard of the Community Coalition. Maynard also designed the garden.
After brief opening remarks the festivities began. Matsui and McCarty shook hands and answered questions as residents roamed the garden and visited vendor booths. Balloons and a bounce house kept the kids happy.
"This really brings the community together for a place to garden," McCarty said. "Partnering with schools and kids, teaching children about health and nutrition, is so important."