Sheffield Lake Community Gardens are springing up in parks across the city, but they go largely unnoticed and underused. The gardens feature 32 plots that community members can use for free to grow fruits, vegetables and flowers. (Courtesy of Paul Brown)
There's a famous line in the movie, “If you build it, they will come.”
But Sheffield Lake’s two community gardens, lovingly created and prepared for the community, have gone largely unnoticed and unutilized.
The man spearheading this labor of love is Paul Brown, 34, a local resident and 2008 graduate of Brookside High School.
A lifelong resident of the area, the good Samaritan wanted to do something good for the community, but his efforts have yet to see much success.
Community gardens are being set up at Gary Green Park, 4816 Richilieu Ave., and Freedom Park on South Avenue, west of Lake Breeze.
The gardens have a total of 32 plots that local residents can use free of charge to grow fruits, vegetables and flowers.
Brown explains that the plot is 32 square feet, the perfect size to harvest enough food for a family, depending on how much the plants produce and how much work is put into the soil.
Brown added that these plots are perfect for people who live in apartments, condos or homes with too little land to actually have a yard.
But few seem to get the message.
Celebrating Community Gardens
Brown recently hosted a kickoff barbecue to celebrate the opening of the community garden.
He had prepared barbecue, side dishes, cold drinks and plenty of plants and seeds to give away to people starting their own gardens.
And then the unthinkable happened.
“Nobody came. Seriously, nobody came. It's unbelievable,” Brown lamented. “I paid quite a bit of money out of my own pocket to buy free food and seeds and plants for everyone.
“Everything was free. Free food. Free plants. Free plots. People asked all kinds of questions and it was almost surreal and really disappointing because everyone seemed so excited about having this event.
“I thought I'd teach people how to start a garden and how to plant properly, and then how to can food and preserve it properly. I grew tomatoes, peppers, peas, beans, everything. This was just to help the community and help people save money, because food costs are so high and a lot of people can't have a garden.”
The project began several years ago, when Brown spoke with city officials about establishing a community garden in the park.
Some funding was provided to start the community garden, and Brown designed the plots. He then began cultivating the land to create plots suitable for plants, tilling and improving the soil, and mulching and weeding as needed.
After several people took over their plots, Brown hoped people would be taking care of their own plots and would be able to cut down on the amount of work he was doing in the yard.
The plot is open to anyone in the community, but Brown hopes parents will also enjoy the garden with their children and use it as a learning opportunity.
There were also plans to set up fruit and vegetable stands in the park where people could take home free produce grown in the community garden.
“This is something I've always loved. I love gardening and growing plants,” Brown said. “I thought if people could just get started and start their own gardening, they'd really enjoy it.”
“Literally seeing the fruits of their labor. I make my own jams and jellies, pizza and pasta sauces. I make and can as much as I can.”
“I think too many people don't think about gardening or doing it themselves, and rely on government assistance instead of doing yard work. Maybe people are just lazy. I don't know. I honestly don't know.”
“Instead of spending a few hours a week working in the garden, learning something and growing their own food, kids are staring at their phones. It's sad. We thought we would have a great turnout.”
Brown expressed his gratitude to Sheffield Lake Services Director Pat Hastings and Mayor Rocky Radev for their efforts in making the garden a reality and for helping provide mulch and other supplies.
Brown said 12 of the 32 available plots have already been filled, leaving 20 more available.
He plans to continue encouraging residents to use the land, and anyone interested can contact Sheffield Lake City Council or email Brown at PB0000089@gmail.com.
