Toms River Committee's Idea Would Have Volunteers Tending Small Public Gardens

Small, community gardens organized throughout the township is something Toms River's Recreation Committee should consider with the help of volunteers, committee members discussed recently.

The Toms River Recreation Committee discussed at its meeting Monday the possibility of creating small community gardens throughout the town.

The idea was suggested by commission member Faye Wilson, who said they could start out “very small” and be maintained by a list of people who register to partake in the project.

Wilson said the gardens could be either flower or vegetable gardens, noting she read an article about community gardens in Red Bank that sell vegetables and she thought this could tie in to the township’s farmer’s markets.

Commission member Bob Amus said he had seen this type of project elsewhere where a group of mostly senior citizens planted flowers along bridges, creek beds and other common areas.

Amus also recalled a portion of the arboretum on the Ocean County College campus that was maintained by volunteers to create a quiet reading area.

Amus felt both the dog park and Winding River Park would be ideal places to start a community garden.

“It could be beautiful,” said Amus.

“I think it’s a good idea. You can put patches of sunshine all over,” said commission member John Maguire.

He suggested starting with parks that have existing irrigation systems in place.

Commission member Joe Garvey felt the first step would be to float the idea on the township Web site and see what the level interest is from potential volunteers.

 “Let’s take a shot. It’s a great idea,” said Garvey.