Group Works to Create Community Garden Plots

Natick is filled with beautiful open space and clean parks, largely due to the efforts of the Natick Trail Buddies volunteer group, led by Natick resident . Now, volunteers are looking to further beautify town space with a community garden project that will allow residents to fill garden plots with flowers and plants.

"There are a lot of gardeners out there in Natick that would love to garden that don't have a place to do it," said Conaway, who founded Big Heart Little Feet, Inc., an organization which gathers volunteers to help clear walking trails in Natick and neighboring towns.

The proposed community garden plots would offer renters and those in town with shady yards and poor soil a chance to practice their hobby and add greenery to the town's scenery in the process. Conaway said he believes much of the town's efforts are sports-oriented, focusing more on athletic fields than on gardening projects.

Over the past few months, the Natick Community Garden Project group has been holding regular meetings to create a plan and swap suggestions for how to put their plan into action.

Conaway said the group would like to see three or four places around town designated as community garden space. The areas must be sunny, have relatively fertile soil, access to water and nearby parking.

West Hill Park, J.J. Lane near Speen Street, the field at and a portion of the eight to 10 acres behind are a few spots that Conaway said he would like to be considered.

Conaway said he hopes that the group might work with the Natick Conservation Commission to possibly have the commission lease the properties, which could then be used by community members to garden.

If you would like to become involved in the Natick Community Gardens Project, contact Pat Conaway at 508-740-9949, or email him at bpconaway@gmail.com.

Do you think Natick could use more green areas? Tell us in the comments section.