By Ashley M. Casey

Staff Writer

Residents of North Syracuse could have their very own community garden, but the garden’s “mini-committee” is in need of members.

At the March 24 North Syracuse board of trustees meeting, resident David Robinson said North Area Meals on Wheels has offered the use of the field behind its facility for a community garden. UnitedHealthcare has signed on as a sponsor of the project, but Robinson said the garden needs volunteers to help coordinate the operation.

“It’s like the ‘Field of Dreams,’” Robinson said, paraphrasing the 1989 Kevin Costner film. “If we build it, maybe they will come.”

Robinson said Michael Grimm Services has agreed to till the land behind NAMOW and he expects the available plots will measure about 20 square feet.

“We’re going to pattern it after the policies that are used at the Cicero library,” Robinson said.

The Northern Onondaga County Public Library (NOPL) at Cicero maintains the LibraryFarm, an organic community garden.

Robinson stressed that North Syracuse’s community garden is neither a Meals on Wheels project nor a village endeavor.

“We want it to be a community project,” he said.

To volunteer for the garden’s “mini-committee,” as Robinson called it, or to get on a waiting list for plots, call the North Syracuse parks and recreation department at 458-8050.