It’s been just about a year since we opened the Fountain Hills Community Garden and what a year it’s been! I must say, the garden is beautiful.

Our garden project has been totally funded by donations and countless hours of volunteer efforts by many people and businesses here in Fountain Hills. The garden is a gathering place where residents can learn to garden, grow healthy produce, connect with nature, stay physically active and build social interactions.

It’s a place where young students learn about service and giving back to the community and seniors can find a place to belong and a sense of purpose. We have regular food donations from our community beds which go to the Extended Hands Food Bank. We have a Memorial Paver Program if you wish to permanently honor someone at the garden. There are classes, volunteer workdays and socials which are all available to garden members at no cost.

If you have never been to the garden or if you don’t even know where it is, we invite you to come on down and take a tour at our First Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, March 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be music, food, vendors, plants for sale, a free raffle and a silent auction. The garden is located adjacent to the library and the River of Time Museum.

We’d love to see your smiling faces at our garden events. Come on down and see how our garden has grown!

Check out our website (ilovefountainhills.org/community-garden) for any further information which might interest you. Maybe you’d like to lease your own garden bed and become a gardener. Our garden managers are around to help and answer your questions.

Hope to see you soon at the garden!