Community garden sets tour

The Sisters Community Garden has scheduled a tour of its garden on Sunday, June 23, and a public meeting for Saturday, June 29, to discuss the possibility of using City park land to provide Sisters area residents a space to garden while building community connections.

“The City of Sisters Parks Master Plan includes providing space for a community garden,” said Mimi Schaefer, SCG President. “Moving to a new location in a city park will open food growing opportunities for Sisters residents and learning opportunities for all of our citizens.”

The garden is currently operating at the Sisters Eagle Airport, but its time there has come to an end. The organization’s board is now looking for a new location to continue its operations.

In the last year, the group has contacted a wide variety of both public and private entities in the Sisters area in search of an affordable and permanent garden location. At this time, the City has expressed the possibility of using a small area in Cliff Clemens Park at 555 N. Larch St. The City has asked the garden’s board to reach out to city residents and neighbors of the park to gather opinions and ideas. The decision to use the park, however, rests solely with the Sisters City Council.

SCG is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides Sisters area residents of all income levels a place to grow their own food and make excess produce available to local food banks. More than 50 families use the garden and contribute to its upkeep. The garden also provides shared plots for all to access, which include herbs and flowers, blueberry and raspberry patches, apple trees, and an asparagus area.

The June 23 garden tour takes place from 9 a.m. to noon at 15860 Barclay Drive. The public meeting is scheduled for June 29, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Sisters Branch of the Deschutes Public Library, at 110 N. Cedar St.

For more information, email sisterscommunitygarden@gmail.com.