Rain Delays Community Garden, But Community Pride Continues to Grow

The opening of one of Avon Lake’s newest projects, a community garden slated for a one-half acre site at Troy Intermediate School, may have been delayed until June 1, but community support flourishes.

The more than 100 Avon Lake Community Garden plots  are sold out  and although the groundbreaking has been delayed by nearly three continuous weeks of rain, plenty of groups and organizations have stepped forward to support the project in its inaugural year.

Within the past two months, more than $7,500 has been donated by local business and industry. Just as impressive are the in-kind goods, services and labor donated by community service groups and individuals valued at $16,500.

Opening day has tentatively been rescheduled for Wednesday, June 1.

“The rain has been a huge frustration, setting the project back by weeks, but rototilling the ground when it is too wet destroys the soil structure,” Dale Cracas, president and co-chair, said. “It’s imperative that we allow the ground to dry out sufficiently. We are monitoring the site regularly and will begin installing the garden as soon as we are able.” Gardeners will be updated by e-mail and can also check the garden’s website at www.avonlakecommunitygarden.org.

, a global provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions headquartered on Walker Road in Avon Lake, is the garden’s largest benefactor, contributing almost $3,800 to fund the deer fencing.

“Being a good neighbor is an integral part of PolyOne’s culture,” Amanda Marko, director of corporate communications, said. “We’re strongly committed to reducing our carbon footprint and conserving resources, so this project was a natural ‘fit’ for us. We’re proud to support the garden, a project that fosters environmental stewardship in Avon Lake, home of our world headquarters.”

“This garden could not exist without deer fencing,” said Cracas, “so we’re indebted to PolyOne for stepping forward with this generous contribution. In the past, it was the prohibitive cost of the fencing that prevented the project from reaching fruition.”

He also cited the support of Mayor K.C. (Karl) Zuber, council representatives Greg Zilka and Marty O’Donnell, engineering manager Joe Reitz and superintendent Bob Scott as key factors in moving the project forward. “The schools donated the use of the land for the community garden, and our city officials have been with us every step of the way to help us work through all the steps to make it a reality,” he said.

Following are additional businesses, groups and individuals who have donated funds, goods and services:

Financial Contributions

• Women’s Club of Avon Lake
• Scotts-Miracle Grow
• Hinkley Lighting
• Avon Lake Sheet Metal
• Avon Lake Press
• Erie Shore Industrial Service Co.
• William and Meghan Burmeister
• Fitzgibbons Arnold and Company Agency
• Dave and Jan Witzigreuter
• Lynnette Stevens
• Holly Kowalski
• Mary Crehore
• Bruce Peepers
• Patricia Vinch

Good and Services

• Avon Lake Kiwanis – Solicitation of donations and volunteer labor
• Avon Lake High School Key Club – Installation of deer fence
• Boy Scouts – Volunteer labor
• Shaw and Jasko families - Composted horse manure from their horse barns
• Bill Perritt, Perritt Building Co. - Hauling of manure.
• John Weeden, Weeden Waterproofing – Digging/removal of tree roots
• Al Hopps, Out on a Limb Unlimited - Uncut lumber for the construction of the wheelchair-accessible raised beds
• Dave Witzigreuter, Gateway Tank, Inc. - Transportation of lumber to the site plus use of a bobcat and driver  
• John Newland, Quality Sprinkling System – Installation of a drip irrigation system
• - Sealer for the wood used to build the seven wheelchair-accessible raised beds