There is a little bit of farm in Lincoln Park in New Rochelle.
The grow! Lincoln Park Community Garden is coming along nicely, thanks to a surfeit of rain.
Linda Tarrant-Reid, one of the garden's original organizers, said people usually water every other day.
"You don't need to water today," she told Wendy Dodds, another member of the grow! committee.
The community garden is situated in Lincoln Park near the Rhoda Quash Memorial Pool. It is 5,000 square feet and contains 28 raised bed plots.
Community groups and churches can lease two 50-square-foot plots for $50. Individuals can lease one 50-square-foot plots for $25.
"The goal is to make sure each of the plots is planted," Tarrant-Reid said.
She said the idea for the garden grew out of the 50th anniversary of the Taylor vs. City School District of New Rochelle desegregation decision. The garden is a result of that commemoration and exists on the site of the former elementary school.
"Camille Edwards-Thomas, Wendy Dodds and I started the project," Tarrant-Reid said. "Karen Hessel joined us early in the planning stage and Sharon Weekes-Threash and Carmen Krause came onboard after we went operational."
Vegetables being grown this season include collard greens, jalapeno peppers, heirloom tomatoes, corn, kale, squash, carrots and beets.
Tarrant-Reid is obviously proud of the garden and the number of businesses, organizations and individuals who have contributed to its success.
She said one of the committee's projects now is to raise money to install a watering system. They presently rely on water from the nearby pool building and a few water collection barrels.
The committee is also eager to expand its mission, through a possible Community Development Block Grant, to do educational outreach.
So it's not just a garden, it's a cause.
"It's a lasting legacy to the community and repurposing of the land," Tarrant-Reid said.
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