The City Council voted Tuesday to approve a community garden in Statesboro.
Keep Statesboro-Bulloch Beautiful (KSBB) recently proposed a community garden in Statesboro adjacent to Renaissance Park. The property location is a 3.26-acre lot on Parker Street.
The location was chosen due to the closeness to areas in the community that have limited options to provide a garden on their property. Additionally, Park Street also has space for potential parking nearby, according to city officials.
Proponents shared several known needs for the project to get off the ground:
- In-kind tree removal (Stormwater/Streets & Parks Division) can be performed to remove trees and shrubs that are currently occupying the property.
- Required fencing to protect the garden from possible vandalism by humans or animals.
- Needed accessibility for those that have disabilities as well as those that do not have transportation to and from the garden.
- If renting out plots, accessibility is a concern for those that cannot afford to pay a rent sum for a garden plot.
- Assistance of a Master Gardener and Volunteers for workshops as hands-on instructors and facilitators.
- Maintenance and general operation by individuals participating in the garden.
The primary goal in maintaining the garden is generating funding to continually source the garden, they said.
On the outset, the cost estimate for the initial start-up is $24,000. Annual maintenance cost estimates are approximately $5,000. According to council documents, the General Fund will fund the project with a dedicated account number in the Parks Budget.
Council approved the gardens 4-0.
Development of policies and procedures regarding garden plot leases and responsibilities will follow.
More details on the proposal:
https://www.thegeorgiavirtue.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/statesboro-community-garden-03.22.pdf
