The Catskill Chronicle

 

LIBERTY – On Saturday, May 22, community members gathered at the vacant lot next to the bus depot on South Main Street in Liberty. A table was laid with refreshments. Information about the newly created Liberty Community Garden, as well as garden plot contracts was available in both English and Spanish (see below).

The lot is owned by Peter Belgard, who made the property available to the Liberty Garden Team consisting of Olivia Lightle, Heinrich Strauch, Akira Ohiso, JonJon Thomas, Sullivan Renaissance intern Margaret Goble and Tim Shera. Thomas designed the visual plan that includes three huge rough hewn timbers at the entrance point; giving the garden a “Stonehenge look” as one Liberty resident put it.

Ohiso, a Liberty resident and one of the team members, has been documenting the garden’s process since its beginnings. To view his photos of the work in progress visit Zinc Plate Press and read his story “Community Garden – Challenging Indifference.

The Liberty Community Garden project began with the grading of the site by machine. Then a layer of cardboard was put in place over the entire lot which was then covered in a thick layer of mulch. The individual raised bed garden plots will then be constructed on top of the mulch.

“The group is still playing with the lay-out [of the planned 15-20 individual garden plots],” explained Heinrich Strauch, the Liberty CDC’s Executive Director. The venture is a collaboration of community residents and the Liberty CDC made possible, in part, with a grant from Sullivan Renaissance’s Environmental Initiatives Program.

“The top soil will be provided,” added Strauch. “All folks have to do is bring their own plants, etc.”

The team’s hope is that “the Liberty Community Garden will become a space for residents to come together, share ideas, promote engagement in the community and interact with each other and everybody around them.”

There is also “an intent to teach sustainable gardening techniques” and to “help gardeners improve their nutrition by eating their own fresh and healthy produce.” There will be instruction for those first time gardeners needing a helping hand and everyone is asked to keep to an “organic” philosophy regarding fertilizer and/or pest control. The group hopes to announce the first of several classes in basic gardening and the how’s and why’s of organic gardening soon.

While a generous grant from Sullivan Renaissance’s Environmental Initiatives Program made the creation of the garden space possible, more money is needed to buy additional gardening supplies, raw materials and a living fence. The group is seeking contributions. Contributions of $10 – for one perennial plant, $25 – for materials for one 8 x 4 ft. garden box, $30 for 10 feet of living fence, or any other amount that folks feel comfortable giving may be made out and sent to: Liberty CDC “Community Garden,” 167 North Main Street, Liberty, NY 12754.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Get Ready, Get Set, Get Gardening visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

Gardening Agreements in English and Spanish

For garden space availability and more information call the Liberty CDC at 845-292-8202. Garden contracts may be printed out; simply highlight the contract and print.

Liberty Community Garden – 2010 Participant Agreement

1. I will pay a fee of $20.00 to help cover garden expenses.

2. I will have something planted in the garden by June 15^th and keep it planted all summer long

3. If I must abandon my plot for any reason, I will notify the manager (name of manager??)

4. I will keep weeds down and maintain the areas immediately surrounding my plot.

5. If my plot becomes unkempt, I understand I will be given 1 week notice to clean it up. At that time, it will be reassigned or tilled in.

6. NOTE: Sullivan Renaissance ‘Showing of Flowers’ Judging Weekend is on ____________

7. I will keep trash and litter cleaned from the plot, as well as from adjacent pathways and fences.

8. I will participate in the fall clean-up of the garden.

9. I will not plant tall crops where they will shade neighboring plots.

10. I will pick only my own crops unless given permission by the other plot user.

11. I will not use fertilizers, insecticides or weed repellents that will in any way affect other plots. The Liberty Community Garden is and shall be maintained organically.

12. I agree to volunteer 1 hour per month toward community gardening efforts (a list of volunteer tasks will be provided)

13. I will not bring pets into the garden

I understand the neither the garden group nor the owner of the land are responsible for my actions. I therefore agree to hold harmless the Liberty Community Garden, the Liberty Community Development Corporation, the Garden Group and the owner of the land for any liability, damage, loss or claim that occurs in connection with the use of the garden by me or any of my guests.

Signature: Date:

Name (print):

Address:

Phone / email:

_______________________________________________________________

Liberty Community Garden – Acuerdo de Participante 2010

1. Pagare una cuota de $20.00 para ayudar cubrir los gastos del jardín.

2. Tendré algo sembrado en el jardín para el 15 de Junio y lo mantendré sembrado todo el verano.

3. Al tener que abandonar mi solar por cualquier razón, notificare al encargado.

4. Cuidare de mantener la hierba mala baja y mantendré las áreas alrededor de mi solar.

5. Si mi polar se descuida, comprehendo que se me dará una semana de notificación para limpiarlo. En eso momento será reasignado o labrado.

6. NOTA: Sullivan Renaissance jurado de la ‘Exhibición de Flores’ será el fin de semana de __________

7. Mantendré el solar limpio de basura y sucio, así como los caminos y cercas.

8. Participare en la limpieza de otoño del jardín.

9. No sembrare plantas altas donde echara sombra al solar vecino.

10. Solo escogeré mi propia cosecha amenos que me de permiso el usuario de otro solar.

11. No usare fertilizantes, insecticidas o repelentes de mala hierba que afectara de manera alguna a otros solares. El Liberty Community Garden es y será mantenido orgánicamente.

12. Acuerdo en dar voluntariamente una ora al mes hacia los esfuerzo de jardinería de la comunidad (se proveerá una lista de voluntarios).

13. No traeré ninguna clase de mascota al jardín.

Yo comprehendo que ni el grupo del jardín ni el dueño del terreno son responsables por mis acciones. Desde luego yo acuerdo de sostener inofensivo al Liberty Community Garden, la Corporación del Desarrollo de la Comunidad de Liberty, el Grupo del Jardín y los dueños del terreno de cualquier responsabilidad, daño, perdida o reclamación que ocurra en conexión con el uso de jardín por mi o cualquier invitado.

Firma : Fecha:

Nombre (letra separada):

Dirección:

Teléfono / email: