With the $98k grant secured, and spring, really, around the corner the Parks and Rec department is gearing up for the community garden sign ups. Director Mike Mocciae is already impressed with the groundswell of support. He said today that he’s had over 70 phone calls about obtaining a plot, and many more from volunteers offering to help manage the garden.
It wouldn’t surprise him to see a line on opening day of sign ups, which he’s planned for April 15th, (the doors open at 8:30 AM), and ending on May 1st. There’s a $5 per plot fee, and a sign up form to fill out and then its up to Mother Nature. Actually its still up to Mother Nature, as the weather hasn’t been helping the time line in preparing the site for the garden. Meanwhile there’s still a zoning issue to contend with, but you’ll have to contend with some radio silence on that front as I switch zoning gears.
Much thought has been put into the idea, some of which dates back to a 1996 business plan, a copy of which was supplied by Diane Lauricella to Mike Mocciae. The plan was once circulating City Hall during the Esposito years, but took the usual Norwalk Minute for the idea to take hold. According to Mocciae, the idea resurfaced once the Gabrielle Grode from the Health Department sought a partnership for a grant opportunity. The collaboration expanded from a bilingual nutrition program to the full fledged community garden very quickly. The disposition of the property, at long last, was opportune timing as well.
Plans for Fodor Farm include a berry garden, children’s garden, raised beds for seniors and wheelchair accessible, and areas for taller crops. In addition plans are underway for restoring the main house on the property, next to the proposed garden. Faesy-Smith Architects is doing some probono evaluation of the structure to help the city prepare the site for bids.
Community gardens are all the rage now. The Courant ran an article, Garden Fever Spreading, highlighting the popularity last weekend. The Westport garden has its own web site, westportgardens.org. With the support, interest and popularity of locally grown produce, Fodor Farm, returning to its roots, is a good story for Norwalk.
