New, improved community gardens in Rosehill, Beverly

Volunteers recently made improvements to the Beverly Community Garden at Robbins and Wheeler streets.
Volunteers recently made improvements to the Beverly Community Garden at Robbins and Wheeler streets.

TEXARKANA, Texas - A partnership of government and civic groups recently started a community garden in the Rosehill neighborhood and improved another in the Beverly neighborhood.

The city, the Housing Authority of Texarkana, Texas, the Rosehill Neighborhood Improvement Association and the Believe in Beverly Neighborhood Association installed a garden at Milam and West 13th streets in Rosehill and upgraded the garden at Robbins and Wheeler streets in Beverly, according to a news release.

Federal Community Development Block Grants funded the projects, HATT donated the Rosehill lot, and volunteers provided the work.

"These dedicated community volunteers were not only instrumental in completing these community gardens but have continuously volunteered their time for revitalization in our community," said Kristi Kendrick, Believe in Beverly's president.

The new garden in Rosehill has 11 raised and eight elevated garden boxes, three picnic tables, and a tank to catch rainwater. Volunteers planted apple and fig trees and blueberry bushes, with flowers planned for spring.

At the Beverly garden, volunteers installed additional raised beds and brought in fresh soil for all beds, installed a new top on the rainwater tank, and planted fig trees, blueberries and raspberries.

A new sign and a "Little Library" - which makes free books available on a take one, leave one basis - were installed at each garden.

The gardens are open to anyone in the community who would like to grow their own vegetables, flowers or herbs, and everyone is encouraged to use the spaces.

"This is an avenue to build community, spark creativity and inspire our youth," said Rhonda Dolberry, Rosehill Neighborhood Improvement Association president.

City Community Development Specialist Vashil Fernandez praised the effort.

"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.

"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," Fernandez said.

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