PORT HENRY — The town of Moriah has its first vegetable-filled Community Garden on the edge of Witherbee Park.
“It’s exciting for the community,” garden volunteer Cathy Sprague said. “So many people have contributed to make this happen.”
People can take what they need from the garden, especially senior citizens, and they’re planting vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers, Sprague said.
Community gardens are popular in other towns like Keene and North Elba, but so far Moriah has been left out of the fray.
Not anymore, Sprague said.
She said James Curren of Jimmy’s Lawn Care brought in topsoil for the garden, Michelle Budwick of Sprout’s Greenhouse donated plants, and volunteers Patty Gallagher, Carol Chiarella and co-organizer Jackie Viestenz have been tending it.
“Jackie and the others have been down there planting and watering,” Sprague said. “Now we’re waiting while everything starts growing.”
Sprague said co-organizers Nicole Van Buren and Jackie Viestenz developed the concept of a Moriah Community Garden.
“Nicole brainstormed this,” Sprague said. “We all loved the idea and everyone got to work.”
Van Buren said the garden is fully planted.
“There will be two different kinds of tomatoes, peas, cucumbers, zucchini and summer squash, lettuce and Swiss chard,” she said. “This is open to all community members and we are looking for anyone who would like to volunteer for weeding and watering.”
The garden is sponsored by the Moriah Chamber of Commerce, and chamber President The Rev. Ric Lewis said the project could help a lot of people who don’t have access to fresh produce.
“It came to be in one of our chamber meetings,” he said. “We decided to put it into play. Jimmy (Curren) did all the digging and he brought in all the soil.”
The soil was donated by a Dan White of Westport and Spaulding’s Farm, he said.
The garden is located in front of the Town Hall, in Witherbee Park, off Park Place behind the Amtrak Train Station.
Volunteers who are interested should call the chamber at 518 250-1050.