Creative Community Garden

The creative staff at the Sudbury Park & Recreation Department are always thinking.

Director Nancy McShea, an enthusiastic organic gardener, developed this idea – a community organic garden on the grounds of the Fairbank Community Center, designed, sighted, built and planted by community members (with a little help from an expert consultant) enrolled in Park & Rec workshops.  Use of the garden will be incorporated into most Park & Rec programs.

For example, Program Coordinator Amber Comeau will use the garden for art-based programs with Kindergartners; Anna Wood, the therapeutic recreation specialist, will feature the garden in horticulture therapy programs, and Youth Coordinator Jessica Bendel will develop community service projects in the garden for her middle school students. Eventually, the staff will integrate the garden into summer programs for projects ranging from rock art to science projects to composting.

The beauty of the concept is that workshop fees and potential revenue from canning produce will help cover the cost of maintaining the garden.

A win-win for all.