After a day of fresh rain, the second Stettler Community Gardens was celebrated last Friday night with a community partner that helped plant the seed.
“We wouldn’t be able to do it without TD,” said Rob Spencer, who chairs Heartland Beautification Committee, as he spoke during a brief ceremony a the new gardens east of the intersection of 41 Ave. and 60 Street, south of Pioneer Park.
Located east of the Tot Lot, the garden grew with $17,900 in seed funding awarded from TD Friends of the Environment Fund.
“We are happy to support the community and the environment,” said Sherry Marshall, fund program co-ordinator with the Stettler TD branch.
The second garden was added to meet the growing demand from the community.
“Things are growing better here than at the other gardens and the drainage is a lot better here,” Spencer said.
With support from students at local schools, the community gardens project has gain a strong reputation and helps supply Stettler and District Food Bank.
“I’m super-impressed that it involves the youth,” said Sue-Anne Hennessey, who’s with TD and the beautification committee.
“They are excited about learning about the food bank and the community.”
A longtime council member appreciated the garden, which has enhanced a former sore spot in town.
“This was just a dead area and now this looks great — thanks to the committee and TD Bank,” Al Campbell said. “We all appreciate what you do.”
Next year, Spencer plans to add an educational component to gardening, because many of the people who rent plots have little experience in gardening.