United Community Garden opens in North Syracuse
By Ashley M. Casey
Staff Writer
The “field of dreams” is now a reality.
After months of planning, the former ball field behind North Area Meals on Wheels in North Syracuse has become the United Community Garden. Local officials and representatives from UnitedHealthcare, which is sponsoring the garden, celebrated with a dedication and groundbreaking ceremony June 7.
“This garden is going to be a representation of nutrition,” said Bob Graves, president of the board of trustees of North Area Meals on Wheels (NAMOW). “This is our garden. … It belongs to every single one of you that lives in this community.”
Residents can sign up for plots in a variety of sizes and are responsible for growing and maintaining their own crops. By the dedication ceremony, six plots were spoken for. UnitedHealthcare is growing herbs and vegetables to be donated to NAMOW.
“We plan to do everything that we can to make this garden a success,” said Debbie McKee, executive director for UnitedHealthcare Medicare’s Upstate New York division.
Back in March, North Syracuse resident David Robinson approached the village board of trustees to ask for help coordinating the community garden project.
“It’s like the ‘Field of Dreams,’” Robinson said in March, paraphrasing the 1989 Kevin Costner film. “If we build it, maybe they will come.”
Neither the village nor NAMOW is directly responsible for the United Community Garden, but the village is taking calls from volunteers and aspiring gardeners, and NAMOW is providing water and, of course, the land. Michael Grimm Landscape and Tree Service assisted in preparing the garden for planting. Volunteers Mike Marafino, David Robinson and NAMOW board member Hugh Williams rototilled the plots and applied compost.
“This is just an example of a community working together: municipalities and private enterprises … for the good of the community,” North Syracuse Mayor Gary Butterfield said.
Graves said the vacant ball field held great potential for the community to work together.
“The name says a lot: ‘United Community [Garden]’ states the purpose of the garden,” he said. “It brings the community together, and people will enjoy and reap what they sow.”
McKee said the garden is a way to unite North Syracusans of all ages.
“All generations can come out and work in the garden together,” she said.
Graves wished the community “happy planting!” before joining other local officials in the groundbreaking of the garden.
The United Community Garden is located behind North Area Meals on Wheels at 413 Church St., North Syracuse. To sign up for a plot, contact the North Syracuse Parks and Recreation Department at 458-8050.
