Joe Dirt said, “Life’s a Garden, Dig it and make it work for ya”. The City of Texarkana Texas in partnerships with the Housing Authority of Texarkana Texas, the Rosehill Neighborhood Improvement Association, and the Believe in Beverly Neighborhood Association have built some new Community Gardens for all to use for vegetables, flowers, etc. and they look great.
Press Release:
The City of Texarkana, Texas in partnership with the Housing Authority of Texarkana, Texas
(HATT), Rosehill Neighborhood Improvement Association and Believe in Beverly Neighborhood
Association, recently completed the installation of a new community garden and upgrades to
an existing community garden. These projects were part of the city’s Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) Action Plan, and HATT provided the lot for the new community garden in
Rosehill located at the corner of Milam and W. 13 th Street. Volunteers from both neighborhood
associations came together working hard to complete these gardens for the communities.
“These dedicated community volunteers were not only instrumental in completing these
community gardens but have continuously volunteered their time for revitalization in our
community” stated Kristi Kendrick, President of the Believe in Beverly Neighborhood
Association.The new garden consists of eleven (11) raised garden boxes and eight (8) elevated garden
boxes, three (3) picnic tables, and a water tank to catch rainwater. Apple and fig trees were
planted as well as blueberry bushes, with flowers planned for Spring planting. At the Beverly
Community Garden, additional raised beds were installed, fresh soil brought in for all beds, a
new top installed on the rainwater tank, fig trees were planted as well as blueberries and
raspberries. A “Little Library” was installed at both community gardens as well as a new sign.The community gardens are open to anyone in the community who would like to grow their
own vegetables, flowers, or herbs and everyone is encouraged to utilize the spaces. The “Little
Libraries” are designed with a take one – leave one concept. All ages are encouraged to utilize
the community gardens and little libraries. “This is an avenue to build community, spark
creativity, and inspire our youth”, stated Rhonda Dolberry, President of Rosehill Neighborhood
Improvement Association.“Enough cannot be said of how wonderful it was to have really great volunteers from
organizations like Phi Lambda Chi National Fraternity, The Scholars and also individuals that
want to see these neighborhoods continue to improve,” stated Vashil Fernandez, Community
Development Specialist for the City of Texarkana, Texas. “This is a great start towards phase
one of the neighborhood stabilization, which is to improve community engagement in the
planning and implementation of various strategies for development.”
