Park to welcome green thumbs at organic garden

White Lake and Waterford residents will have the opportunity to grow their own fresh vegetables this summer in a community garden at Hess-Hathaway Park, located on the Waterford Township side of Williams Lake Road between Elizabeth Lake and Cooley Lake roads.

The Citizens Farm Project at Hess-Hathaway seeks to educate and encourage residents to grow their own organic produce, resulting in little or none of the carbon emissions associated with commercial farming.

The project involves both Waterford and White Lake residents. Participants can rent 10-foot-by-10-foot plots of land within the park, which is located at 825 S. Williams Lake Road.

A one-time $10 membership fee and annual $15 plot fee is required, and plots are only accessible during normal park operating hours.

Other rules state that growing produce for commercial purposes is prohibited, and that all farmers must gain approval of the produce they plan to grow from the supervisor of the Citizens Farm. Furthermore, only organic material is allowed to enrich the soil.

For more information on the community garden, call the Waterford Parks and Recreation Department at 248-674-5441 or visit the department’s web page at twp.waterford.mi.us.