Worcester Community Teaching Garden Literacy Project Opens

WORCESTER, MA — A host of community groups and city officials on Thursday celebrated the opening of the new Community Teaching Garden Literacy Program site near the shores of Indian Lake in Worcester.

Since March 13, dozens of volunteers have worked to create the garden learning center on a sliver of land along West Boylston Drive across from Strand's Ski Shop. The project was sponsored by the Indian Lake Community Association, but was bolstered by groups from across Worcester.

Forest Grove Middle School students will use the garden as part of their curriculum with help from the Regional Environmental Council and Tower Hill Botanical Garden. Over the winter, volunteers from groups like the Central Massachusetts Collaborative and the Carpenters Union Local 336 have helped to build planter boxes at the site.

Groups like Angels Answer, Inc., the city of Worcester, and companies like Lowe's, Polar Beverages and Wegmans have also pitched in to help or donate goods.

The garden will be a place "where students can learn about horticulture, plant science, biodiversity, food and water insecurity, and their impact on land use in the context of climate change, and how students can become agents of change with the goal of becoming youthful global citizens," a press release about the grand opening said.

Apart from the agricultural and learning focus, the site will also include other community amenities like a little free library, public art and a blessings box containing items like nonperishable food and hygiene products.

Worcester Community Teaching Garden Literacy Program site: