Woman Sees Community Garden in Hopatcong's Future

A in Hopatcong? Not yet.

But it could happen.

Alice King presented to the mayor and council last week a preliminary plan to create a community garden in the borough. She said the idea was "near and dear" to her.

King, who's lived in Hopatcong for several years, said families and organizations would pay around $20 and $30 a year to "grow whatever they want" on 8 x 10-foot or 10 x 15-foot plots.

"They can cut down on food costs," she said. "It's a growing phenomena."

Mayor Syliva Petillo asked King for her phone number so the two could discuss the plan.

King saw it as more than just a garden.

"It becomes a very social endeavor," she said. "People come in and have a barbecue. It really becomes a community event, a social event. People gather just as much for the social activity as they do for the gardens."

Citing several examples of community gardens around the area, such as ones in Chester and Morristown, King said a prime community garden location would be flat with plenty of sun exposure and a place for parking. She said one spot particularly stood out.

"In my dreams, I saw a nice little garden between the [Department of Public Works] and the Defiance firehouse," she said. "But when I walked over there, they were like, 'Oh, no you don't.' … But I backed off. I want them to come to my house and I don't need them to be mad at me."

Recently, Hopatcong's environmental commission announced it would , which provides municipalities grants for going green. A community garden would help give the borough a push toward earning certification. It would provide 10 of the necessary 150 points.

King also said the garden would be organic and that a borough Girls Scouts troop contacted her about the project.

"I think people would have a lot of fun with this," she said.