by TaLeiza Calloway
news@thenewsleaders.com
Plans for a community garden in St. Joseph are on hold until the city can find a partnership to assist with the cost to maintain it.
St. Joseph City Administrator Judy Weyrens said an attempt was made to share garden space with St. Benedict’s Monastery, but it was not feasible. Issues include concerns about space and cost.
It would cost the city between $3,000 and $5,000 to have a community garden, Weyrens said. The proposed garden is also something that was not included in the city’s 2013 budget. Without funding or more interest in use, the project can’t move forward, she said.
“We will seek alternatives for funding,” she said. “It’s on hold for now.”
The city first solicited interest in the park amenity in 2011 in its newsletter. About 12 residents expressed interest in starting a community garden in town at that time.
The initial location of the garden was projected to be adjacent to the city’s water-treatment plant south of Interstate 94 on the frontage road. Plots would be 20 feet by 20 feet and were anticipated to cost about $25 annually.
The St. Joseph Park Board had previously discussed the possibility of adding a community garden to Cloverdale Park. Board members decided the residential neighborhood park might not be an appropriate location for the amenity.
Area cities with community gardens include Sartell, St. Cloud and Little Falls.
