The folllowing article was originally printed in the April 8th Edition of the Herald Dispatch. It is part of a weekly series of columns written by Thomas McChesney.

While many of us were enjoying a beautiful spring weekend, the Community Gardens of Huntington were following their passion and doing their part to make Huntington better. While we were benefiting from the parks and green spaces that our forefathers created, they were busy all weekend creating new spaces that our children and grandchildren will enjoy.

The Community Gardeners are one of the teams actively involved in Create Huntington and the Chat ‘n Chews. They are a group of individuals and organizations who are working together to transform vacant lots across Huntington into gardens and green spaces.

Their goals are to:

1. Create safe places for neighbors to get to know one another;
2. Grow fruits and vegetables, donating a portion to the needy;
3. Create spaces of beauty by encouraging the creation of flower, desert and rock, art, and butterfly gardens, as well as gardens that are accessible to all;
4. Engage and educate the public about nutrition and the environment;
5. Promote civic responsibility;
6. Help attract new citizens and businesses to the area by making it a more beautiful place.

The group has teamed with the City’s Weed and Seed Program to create their first plot at the Program headquarters. There, they plan to grow a vegetable garden and hold classes on composting, recycling, and other sustainable ways to make our community more beautiful and safe. They have also identified 9 available lots across Huntington where they plan to create community gardens, and have found the potential for dozens more.

There are many ways to join the Community Gardeners and put your hands to work for our City and neighbors.

They are seeking volunteers to help with projects and members to join their on-line community. Email communitygardenshunt@gmail.com to volunteer or for information about on-line community. Meeting times are available at www.huntingtoncommunitygardens.com.

They are also seeking donations of extra seeds, plants, fencing, posts, hoes, shovels, soil, sand, gravel, wood planters, outdoor-ready artwork, tillers, and vinyl signs. You may bring donations to the Weed and Seed offices, 1524 10th Avenue. Call Tim White at 304-751-6251 for information or to arrange a time.

There are dozens of project teams and hundreds of volunteers who are making a difference in our City. You can get involved by attending the Create Huntington Chat ‘n Chew, held every Thursday, 5:30 – 7:00, in the lobby of the Frederick Building. For more information, visit the Create Huntington website at www.createhuntington.com.