OTISFIELD – The dedication of the Otisfield Community Garden and Veterans Memorial will be held at 2 p.m. Sept. 3 at the Otisfield Community School.

“We’re hoping to have everyone come,” Principal Linda Park said Thursday.

The project was supported by about $27,000 in private and public donations. Park said one of the largest donors has been Ellen Solms, who gave money from the Max W. Beck Memorial Foundation, which honors her brother.

Solms will be guest speaker at the dedication, which will be conducted by SAD 17 Superintendent Mark Eastman.

The community garden is on several acres and includes fruit trees and raised garden boxes that have been adopted by community members, organizations and students. A granite stone memorial to war veterans was erected in the garden last spring as its centerpiece.

The monument was constructed by Richard Maguire & Son, plus a friend of the son, last spring. Students planted carnations, lily of the valley and other flowers at the monument, which is seen from the road through one of several grape arbors that parents built in the garden.

Project planners say the garden was designed to have school children and community members work together for a sustainable planet, to promote healthy communities and provide vegetables to low-income individuals, contribute the preserving open space, provide access to it, and create a recreational and therapeutic opportunities for the community.