The concept of a community garden, locally situated in the heart of a community, where residents grow flowers or edible produce, has gained popularity in recent years.
According to the Website, Green Parks, "the primary goal is access to fresh, locally grown produce in urban or suburban areas; they serve as educational tools, teaching people how to garden."
It is in that spirit that Calumet New Tech High School incoming Junior, Saralee Echavarria, approached LRS Coordinator of English Language Learners, Linda Hobock, with what she hopes will be a legacy-building project. Saralee, whose parents own Leonardo's Landscaping, came up with the idea of a summer project for the ELL participants after talking with her mom, Brenda Echavarria. "She gave me the idea for a garden, and I thought it would be an amazing summer project. My Dad donated the plants and built the flower beds. By July, we should have a good amount of vegetables," she said. Echavarria said she is hopeful other ELL participants and community members will join and volunteer in cultivating the garden, which is located alongside Lake Ridge's Longfellow New Tech Elementary School in Gary. "At the end of Summer, we will plant pumpkins for the fall and strawberries in the Spring."
ELL Coordinator Linda Hobock said the initial response from the ELL community has been positive: "On the first day, we have had parents and families come out to support and work in the garden." Hobock said they are planting traditional garden fare, "It's a culture thing, we planted peppers, and a variety of tomatoes, but also non-traditional things, onions, and basil."
Hobock said the presence of the garden will serve several purposes, "It's a way to bring the community together and teach people how to garden. Our planters are experts; we will do what they say. Also, eating what you grow saves money on the grocery bill. Gardens are economical."
The ELL coordinator said her office will post a schedule for garden watering and garden maintenance.