Fresh air, sunshine and wide open spaces are three things most people would like to enjoy more often. A new community garden at Stockmar Park in Villa Rica will offer residents the opportunity to spend time outdoors while growing fresh fruits and vegetables in a beautiful location close to their homes.
Villa Rica residents of all ages are invited to attend the official dedication and first planting of the new Stockmar Park Community Garden at the Pine Mountain Gold Museum on Tuesday, Oct. 22, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
A dedication ceremony for the new community garden will be held at 5:30 p.m., followed by the first planting of cool weather produce. Villa Rica community members are invited to bring family, friends and garden gloves for working in the dirt. There will be numerous activities for community members of all ages, including children, plus music, food and gardening information. Complimentary train rides will also be offered to attendees.
A community garden is a single piece of land gardened collectively by a group of people. Community gardens provide residents with fresh produce, neighborhood improvements, a sense of community and a connection to the environment.
“We’re excited about the tremendous potential of the Stockmar Park garden location,” said Jillian Walker, co-chair of the Community Gardens task force for Get Healthy, Live Well. “The site expects to draw around 100,000 visitors in 2014. Many of them are school children who will have the opportunity to visit the garden and learn about the health benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables.”
Stockmar Park Community Garden is a partnership between Tanner Health System, Keep Carroll Beautiful, the City of Villa Rica, Villa Rica Home Depot and Carroll County Master Gardeners.
Get Healthy, Live Well and its partner organizations are bringing more green spaces to Carroll, Haralson and Heard counties by launching new community gardens across west Georgia. Spending time outdoors has numerous health benefits, and studies have shown that increasing access to parks and public green spaces can support residents in increasing physical activity, reducing obesity and minimizing risks for chronic disease.
The group launched its first garden in Carrollton’s Knox Park this year. Planted in Carrollton in April 2013 by a coalition of more than 80 volunteers, the Knox Park Garden is centrally located and offers numerous residents access to sustainably grown produce. In spite of a wet summer, dedicated volunteers have lovingly tended the beds and are now enjoying the results of their collective labor.
Led by Tanner Health System and funded by a community transformation grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Get Healthy, Live Well is creating integrated programs in west Georgia to decrease health disparities, reduce obesity rates, minimize tobacco use, increase physical activity and improve nutrition.
Get Healthy, Live Well is a community network, built through collaboration and partnership, working to educate, promote and develop sustained conditions for healthier lifestyles where people live, learn, work and play in west Georgia.
Villa Rica residents who are interested in adopting a garden bed in the Stockmar Community Garden are invited to send an e-mail to stockmarparkcg@gmail.com or call 678.871.5899. To learn more about the Stockmar Park Community Garden, visit www.GetHealthyLiveWell.org.