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Construction on veggie garden begins today
By Jamie Larson
HUDSON — After a brief but passionate controversy over the relocation of a city tree, the construction of a Youth Food Garden at the Hudson Youth Center will begin today. Youth Department officials and local residents reached a compromise that will spare the tree and sacrifice a spot in the parking lot for the garden location.
The Common Council approved the plan at Tuesday’s regular meeting.
“We’re hoping to do it in time for the growing season,” Youth Director Trudy Beicht said. “You can never please everyone all the time, but I’m very happy we were able to stay with our idea of having the garden at the Youth Center, but still accommodate the community.”
Some — including a number of aldermen — had suggested that the garden, which will be a cluster of raised beds surrounded by a six-foot fence, should be located at the department’s Oakdale Lake facility. Beicht argued that having the garden on the Youth Center property was important to the program she wants to run. Though there were some reservations, the plan passed the Common Council unanimously.
The garden, as well as upgrades to the center’s kitchen, are being paid for with a Kids in Motion-Childhood Obesity Prevention Grant from the Heathcare Consortium. It is Beicht’s intent that, through the garden and kitchen, children will learn to have a more complete relationship with food, from growing and picking to cooking and eating. The grant’s funds are on a need basis and will cover expenses as they arise.
Residents have voiced concerns about the appearance of the fencing. Beicht has tried to reassure them that the choice of fence will be appropriate and attractive and says input from the community is still welcome. There is also skepticism that the garden will be safe in the location, right off South Third Street, but Beicht says she is optimistic that when adults and other youths see that the children are working hard on a positive project they will not tamper with it.
“I’m not worried,” Beicht said, “it’s for a good cause and it’s a high-traffic area. I love when I see kids police each other, and I think that will happen.”
Former First Ward Alderman Sarah Sterling opposed the garden’s initial location, suggesting she might chain herself to the tree if it was threatened, but is now happy the community and the center were able to reach a compromise and will now only be covering asphalt to house the garden. She is now onboard and is starting a drive to accumulate supplies for the garden.
“It seems that usually grants don’t go far enough,” she said, adding that any tools or equipment would help. “There’s always more need.”
To reach reporter Jamie Larson, call 518-828-1616, ext. 2269, or e-mail jlarson@registerstar.com.
The Common Council approved the plan at Tuesday’s regular meeting.
“We’re hoping to do it in time for the growing season,” Youth Director Trudy Beicht said. “You can never please everyone all the time, but I’m very happy we were able to stay with our idea of having the garden at the Youth Center, but still accommodate the community.”
Some — including a number of aldermen — had suggested that the garden, which will be a cluster of raised beds surrounded by a six-foot fence, should be located at the department’s Oakdale Lake facility. Beicht argued that having the garden on the Youth Center property was important to the program she wants to run. Though there were some reservations, the plan passed the Common Council unanimously.
The garden, as well as upgrades to the center’s kitchen, are being paid for with a Kids in Motion-Childhood Obesity Prevention Grant from the Heathcare Consortium. It is Beicht’s intent that, through the garden and kitchen, children will learn to have a more complete relationship with food, from growing and picking to cooking and eating. The grant’s funds are on a need basis and will cover expenses as they arise.
Residents have voiced concerns about the appearance of the fencing. Beicht has tried to reassure them that the choice of fence will be appropriate and attractive and says input from the community is still welcome. There is also skepticism that the garden will be safe in the location, right off South Third Street, but Beicht says she is optimistic that when adults and other youths see that the children are working hard on a positive project they will not tamper with it.
“I’m not worried,” Beicht said, “it’s for a good cause and it’s a high-traffic area. I love when I see kids police each other, and I think that will happen.”
Former First Ward Alderman Sarah Sterling opposed the garden’s initial location, suggesting she might chain herself to the tree if it was threatened, but is now happy the community and the center were able to reach a compromise and will now only be covering asphalt to house the garden. She is now onboard and is starting a drive to accumulate supplies for the garden.
“It seems that usually grants don’t go far enough,” she said, adding that any tools or equipment would help. “There’s always more need.”
To reach reporter Jamie Larson, call 518-828-1616, ext. 2269, or e-mail jlarson@registerstar.com.
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