Volunteers Ensure Community Gardens Thrive
This community garden is one of two in Tyrone, Pa.
The seven Western Pennsylvania Conservancy community gardens in the Central Valleys and Ridges region are a testament to what can be accomplished by dedicated and hardworking volunteers. These gardens — two each in Hollidaysburg and Tyrone, and one in Altoona, Huntingdon and State College, Pa. — serve as welcoming gateways to these five communities.
Because the Conservancy has a limited number of paid Community Gardens and Greenspace program staff members, who work out of the Pittsburgh office, strong volunteer leadership is essential to the gardens’ existence — especially in farther-flung locations like these.
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy relies on volunteers to tend to gardens in the Central Valleys and Ridges region, such as this one in Altoona, Pa.
“We appreciate these gardens because of the high level of care that the stewards and volunteers put into their respective gardens. When I visit with partners in the area, it is evident that these gardens are important components of the health and civic pride in the communities where they reside,” said Gavin Deming, Cardens and Greenspace community specialist.
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy volunteers are the driving force behind the maintenance of this garden in State College, Pa.
Tim Wilson is the steward of the State College garden. In addition to Wilson’s friends and family, Penn State Alumni help with planting and the State College Borough supplies and spreads the mulch and maintains the grass around the garden. “It’s a happy bunch that make for light work and a beautiful garden on the edge of Penn State’s campus, welcoming residents and visitors alike,” Deming said.
Volunteer Rick Pope digs in a garden he has helped maintain for more than a decade.
Hollidaysburg’s gardens are under the stewardship of volunteer Rick Pope. In 2001, the year Pope started working as the borough’s director of water, WPC approached Hollidaysburg about planting its first garden. “I’ve always enjoyed gardening, and the borough is agreeable to letting us help to maintain it,” Pope explained. He added he has dependable volunteer groups that include junior and senior high school honor society students, international students from Grier School in Tyrone, family members and others.
Huntingdon Mayor Dee Dee Brown tends to a garden in her community.
Huntingdon Mayor Dee Dee Brown is also the volunteer steward of the Huntingdon garden. After retiring from a banking career and wrapping up a stint with the Chamber of Commerce, Brown is happy to be giving back to her community as mayor and as a garden steward. “I love working in the garden, and people who join in and volunteer are so glad they did,” she said. Brown said that the endeavor has engaged many citizens and business — with volunteers often returning year after year.
The flower garden has spawned other greening around Huntingdon. The borough has also filled three parking area bump-outs with soil and planted flowers to match those in the community garden.
Fall Members’ Outing
Join us for an autumn afternoon at the West Branch French Creek Conservation Area...
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