Associated Ministries is working with Metro Parks Tacoma, Harvest Pierce County and C.A.S.T.I.N.G.S. to begin a community garden in an unused park.

Proponents of the project hope to create a space where citizens can gather and benefit from gardening together, with an added goal of growing enough food to donate for emergency food needs.

“Community gardens provide access to more varieties of food than stores,” said Kristen McIvor, program director at Harvest Pierce County. “Working together in a community garden is a way to deepen relationships between neighbors. Crime decreases around community gardens because additional eyes are on the site. It creates safety in the immediate area.”

Additional information is available at 253-383-3056 (extension 133),from garden committee manger Luella Hudson at luellah@associatedministries.org, and at facebook.com/am.community.garden.