(La Porte, IN) - Community garden plots are available at the Jackson Street Community Garden and the Brighton Street Green Space.

 

Located on a former parking area and dairy factory in downtown LaPorte, the garden and green space offer La Porte County residents the opportunity to learn about gardening, grow their own food and do something fun and exciting outdoors after being inside for much of 2020.

 

Community garden plots are free and open on a first-come, first-serve basis.  The Jackson Street Community Garden is entering its fifth year of operation on the corner of Jackson Street and Jefferson Avenue.  Dozens of 4x8 feet plots are available to the public.  Also, the garden features a substantial you-pick area for public consumption, berry bushes, a few pear trees, an herb garden, beautiful flowers, and picnic tables to enjoy the sites. 

 

The Brighton Street Green Space is in its first year of operation at the former Lenick's Dairy property on the corner of Brighton and Pulaski Streets.  This area has been transformed from a forgotten factory site to a growing green space with the help of public and private investments, including significant funding from the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte.

 

The green space features dozens of 4x10 feet community garden boxes, a kids garden area, an Education Resource Center, and a future pavilion and public gathering space.

 

Community garden boxes are available at both locations.  The Brighton Street Green Space and Jackson Street Community Garden are a project designed and maintained by State Street Community Church and the Pax Center.  The projects are funded through community and foundation grants.

 

Lead Pastor and the Pax Center CEO Nate Loucks said "we believe that everyone should access to good food to eat and share. It's a great joy for us to continue to offer garden plots at our Jackson Street location and to open up to the community our Brighton Street Green Space."

 

To find out more about the Pax Center, Jackson Street Community Garden, and Brighton Street Green Space, or sign up for a free community garden box, visit thepaxcenter.com/signup. Spring planting is starting now!

 

About the Pax Center: The Pax Center's mission is to engage the detrimental impact of poverty by feeding the hungry, loving the lonely, and increasing the capacity to care in LaPorte County. The Pax Center is the visionary founder and manager of the Jackson Street Community Garden and the Brighton Street Green Space. For more information or to donate, visit thepaxcenter.com.