Revere planning community garden behind high school

REVERE – The city of Revere is planning and preparing for a new public community garden in back of Revere High School.Members from the organization Revere on the Move canvassed the area around the proposed garden in late February and received a very positive response regarding the community project. The garden will be funded through the continued partnership with the State Department of Health and Human Services through the Mass in Motion Campaign. The Mass in Motion grant will continue for four more years in Revere presently.?We want to give everyone a chance to say on how the garden should work and run,” Grant Programs Manager Cate Black Ford said at Thursday night?s meeting at the Recreation Center.The garden will be in back of the high school on East Mountain Avenue and will be divided up by plots. There is roughly enough land for 12 to 14 plots.Many are excited about the prospect of having more green space in the city.?A community garden can be a really special place,” Black Ford said. “It can be a gathering place for those who want to get to know their neighbors.”It can also provide a great educational opportunity to residents.?It?s for people who want to learn how to garden and make their thumbs more green,” Black Ford added.Residents who went to the meeting discussed how they would like the garden to be designed and taken care of.?It can be anything we want it to be,” Black Ford said.However, there are some guidelines everyone must obey. Each plot has to be easily accessible and have easy access to water. A retaining wall along the slope has to be made so that the garden is level.Residents discussed whether there should be a fee for those who would like to have a plot to garden.?Psychologically, if you pay for something you usually take better care of it,” Black Ford said.All agreed to keep the fee low so everyone can garden.Also, many agreed there should be a small leadership team formed to be in charge of the area.Security for the gardens was another main concern. Revere City Planner Frank Stringi suggested security cameras.?Maybe, we should put some cameras behind the high school since there are none there. It would probably be good to have them anyway,” he said.The project?s goal is promote active living and healthy eating in Revere.?Continuing to grow and protect green space in our neighborhoods, along with encouraging overall community health are major priorities of mine. I am excited and pleased with the ongoing Mass in Motion project in Revere,” Mayor Dan Rizzo said in a press release.?This garden will bring such a positive impact to the neighborhood,” Black Ford said.Sara Brown can be reached at [email protected].