New Community Garden Plots Announced

This just landed in my email inbox from Montgomery County Council Member Valerie Ervin:

"I am pleased to announce that in conjunction with park staff and the City of Takoma Park, we are planning for Montgomery County's first two community gardens to open this May in Silver Spring and Takoma Park.

The Department of Parks and staff from my office will be attending neighborhood meetings near the proposed sites in April in anticipation of opening the Gardens around May 16. Please join us, we want to hear from you about the proposed pilot sites: Silver Spring Intermediate Park and Sligo Overlook Park.

- Pinecrest Neighborhood Association, Tuesday, March 24, 7:00 p.m., 6411 Orchard Avenue, Takoma Park.
- South Silver Spring Neighborhood Association, Thursday, March 26, 7:30 p.m., Eastern Village Co-Housing, 7981 Eastern Avenue, Silver Spring.
- Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board, Monday, April 13, 7:00 p.m., Silver Spring Library, 8901 Colesville Road, Silver Spring.
- Takoma Park Environment Committee, Tuesday, April 14, 7:00 p.m., Takoma Park Community Center.
- Silver Spring Urban District Advisory Board, Thursday, April 16, 3:30 p.m., Silver Spring Urban District, 8110 Georgia Avenue, 3rd Floor, Silver Spring.
- Takoma Park City Council Meeting, Monday, April 20, 8:00 p.m., Takoma Park Community Center.
- East Silver Spring Community Association, Monday, April 20, 7:00 p.m., Sligo Recreation Center, 500 Sligo Avenue, Silver Spring.
- North Takoma Citizens Association, Tuesday, April 21, 7:00 p.m., Montgomery College Silver Spring/Takoma Park Campus - Room 320, Student Services Building.

To apply, interested individuals or parties will submit an application and $45 annual fee. Parks will accept all applications and nearby residents will receive priority. Plots are approximately 400 square feet and only organic plantings and material will be allowed. We hope to install raingardens or other stormwater devices on-site with assistance from the Friends of Sligo Creek. If you have questions or would like staff from the Department of Parks to come and speak to your neighborhood association about the gardens, please contact David Vismara at david.vismara@montgomeryparks.org. "

This is big news for Silver Spring and Takoma gardeners, who have longed for community garden plots for decades.