The Junior League of Boca Raton (JLBR) will unveil its Community Garden with a ceremonial ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. Saturday at Meadows Park.
The garden was previously located across from the downtown public library in space that is being used for Brightline's new train station in Boca Raton.
“We were delighted to work with the city and Brightline to move the JLBR Community Garden,” Junior League President Jamie Sauer said. “This joint effort will enable the community to come together through gardening.”
The city of Boca Raton made the new garden possible by providing the land, while Brightline contributed $300,000 to help fund construction at the new location.
“We are happy to celebrate as the new Community Garden comes to fruition with the leadership of the Junior League and support of the city of Boca Raton,” said Patrick Goddard, president at Brightline. “This initiative is an example of Brightline’s mission to make a positive impact in the communities it touches."
The new garden will contain approximately 100 plots available for patrons to lease. The space will accommodate both permaculture and pollinator gardens. Other features include a pergola, an enlarged composting area, and special fencing around the garden and trees to keep iguanas from climbing or digging into the area.
Ten percent of all fruits and vegetables harvested on individual plots will be donated to Boca Helping Hands.
“The city is excited for our new, expanded community garden in a central location more accessible to our residents,” said Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer. “We’re grateful to the Junior League and the dedicated gardeners and volunteers who will make this new location another Boca Raton treasure, and to Brightline for their substantial support for this project.”
Former Mayor Susan Whelchel, a Junior League sustainer, proposed the original garden. It broke ground on Earth Day 2010 with land donated by the city.
Since then, the Junior League of Boca Raton has managed and supported the garden. The previous garden had 97 plots that were leased to Boca Raton residents on a yearly basis. Historically, the garden has been the largest community garden in the state of Florida.
After the Brightline deal was made, the Junior League and Singer worked together to find a new location. Melanie Kamburian and Bridget Landford are co-chairwomen of the project for JLBR.
“The Junior League of Boca Raton and the City of Boca Raton have always had a great working relationship,” Sauer said. “Together, we have all worked diligently on this to create a fabulous community garden.”
The unveiling of the Junior League’s new Community Garden follows its groundbreaking, which took place on May 10.
The grand opening is a chance for JLBR members, community partners and sponsors, the city of Boca Raton, Brightline and people throughout the community to come together and celebrate the garden. The park is at 1300 NW 8th St., just east of Boca Raton Middle School.
As part of the garden’s re-opening, the city will be giving away native and fruiting trees to Boca Raton residents.
“Everyone is welcome,” Sauer said. “This is a garden for our whole community – so join us on Oct. 16, and visit whenever you can after that too. Lease a plot or just watch the garden grow.”
Throughout the year, JLBR members contribute more than 35,000 volunteer hours and donate more than $600,000 to support the organization’s mission of training volunteers, developing the potential of women and improving the South Florida community.
To learn more about the Junior League of Boca Raton, call 561-620-2553 or visit www.JLBR.org.
