Community Garden Coming To Rhodes Jordan Park, Input Needed

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA -- Organizers of Harvest Gwinnett, an initiative of Live Healthy Gwinnett, will host two public meetings in May at the Lawrenceville Senior Center to discuss and share ideas about the new Community Garden, which will be located at Rhodes Jordan Park.

“Food insecurity can affect anyone,” said Lindsey Jorstad, Outreach Manager in Gwinnett County’s Department of Community Services. “The Harvest Gwinnett Community Garden program will address the need for fresh, healthy options to supplement the dietary needs of seniors and families in our community.”

Gwinnett County Government is collaborating with community partners such as Georgia Gwinnett College, Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office and city of Lawrenceville to address food deserts in Gwinnett. This sustainable community garden program will help to counteract food insecurities faced by seniors and families. The Rhodes Jordan Park garden will be the first of three gardens to be installed on Gwinnett County park properties over the next two years.

“Gwinnett County has been working to develop plans for this community garden, and we are excited to present initial site recommendations at these public meetings,” said Jorstad. “We invite the community to join us for the unveiling of the first of many garden plans, for an opportunity to talk with the project team about ideas for the site, and for a chance to get involved and meet other people interested in growing food cooperatively to support the community.”

The public meetings will be held at the Lawrenceville Senior Center, 225 Benson Street, Lawrenceville, on May 14 from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m. and on May 18 from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m.

Live Healthy Gwinnett launched in 2014 as a partnership between Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation and Eastside Medical Center. Live Healthy Gwinnett is designed to encourage and engage Gwinnett County residents to invest in personal wellness while focusing on four major wellness areas: Be Active, Eat Healthy, Get Checked and Be Positive.