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Dunwoody Community Garden has 92 plots, plus 15 charity plots for food, herbs and more. Photos by Carla Parker
and donate it to charity. We’ve got about two
acres here at the main garden, and we also grow
food at the greenhouse complex.”
The garden expanded to 92 plots and
extensive border plantings in June 2011. It
is maintained by volunteers, members and a
volunteer board of directors.
“We provide free compost, free fertilizer and
free water to each plot,” Simon said. “We have
two greenhouses where we grow plants and sell
them to our members at a low price.”
Before Dunwoody took ownership of Brook
Run Park, the Brook Run Hospital for the
mentally disabled was a part of the park. Simon
said the hospital built greenhouses to grow
food for patients. The hospital closed in 1997,
and when the city took over the park years
later, the city let the community garden use
the greenhouses to grow plants and food year-
round. Simon said he never thought the garden
would attract many gardeners.
“Were about 95 percent full, and it will
probably fall off by June and then we’ll have a
waiting list,” he said. “It’s very popular. We have
room to expand and if we need to we can, but it
will be based on demand.”
Sonya White, who is new to Dunwoody,
bought a plot after she and her children
discovered the garden.
“We do a lot of gardening at our home,”
White said. “We have grow boxes at our house,
and we came up this way and saw that they had
a community garden. It’s a really good way to let
the kids see firsthand where food comes from.”
The White family’s plot will soon have
tomatoes, zucchinis, potatoes, herbs, peppers,
cucumbers and watermelons.
The garden is also a certified Audubon
Wildlife Refuge, providing food and shelter for
birds, such as bluebirds, owls and bats.
“We have about six bird houses in the garden
and probably another four or five around the
garden in bird-feeders,” Simon said. “We’re also
a part of the Atlanta Audubon Society Certified
Sanctuary.”
Along with providing hands-on gardening
opportunities, the garden also offers educational
classes and partners with the city for social
events.
“We promote Eagle Scout and Girl Scout
projects,” Simons said. “We promote a lot of
community spirit. We work closely with the
city of Dunwoody.. .on projects that they
like to sponsor, such as the Milkweed Project
for monarch butterflies in conjunction with
the Dunwoody Nature Center. We grow the
milkweed plants for that.”
Although the garden is a known commodity
to some Dunwoody residents, it is unknown by
many, according to Simon.
“When people come here they say it’s one of
the best-kept secrets in Dunwoody,” he said. “It’s
hidden, and since we’ve only been in existence
for six years now, people are not that aware of
us. There are other activities in Dunwoody, and
we’re one of the newer and less known spots in
Dunwoody.”
Simon said more people should participate
in gardening because it is “relaxing and stress-
relieving.
“You get to work dirt and plant things and
see them grow,” he said. “It’s very peaceful,
and it’s also sociable. We grow a lot of flowers,
so people who find gardening relaxing and
beautiful would love the community garden.”