AUBURN — The Auburn Community Garden Initiative will hold an open house Tuesday for its first community garden on Webster Street.

The garden is across from Webster School Apartments and near the Auburn Police Athletic League. The open house will be held at 5:30 p.m. March 29 at the PAL Center, 24 Chestnut St.

The garden is a collaborative effort among the city, St. Mary’s Nutrition Center, the National Park Service’s River Trails and Conservation Assistance Program, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, and the Androscoggin Land Trust.

The initiative aims to build at least three community gardens across the city over the next three to five years.

Community gardens provide residents the opportunity to grow healthy food, get more exercise and build relationships with their neighbors. They also serve as a vital food access point for those vulnerable to hunger and help beautify a neighborhood.

The Webster Street Community Garden will include 20-24 plots consisting of 4- by 10-foot raised beds. A few will be designed for handicap accessibility. This fenced in area will have compost bins, a shed for tools, and water meter for all gardeners.

Webster School area residents are invited to attend and gain more information about the Webster Street garden or pick up an application to register for a garden plot.

A second open house will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 13, at the PAL Center for all Auburn residents.

Registrations will be accepted through the Auburn Recreation Department and plots will be assigned as follows:

March 29-April 12 will be given first consideration to Webster School area residents; on April 13 until filled for all Auburn residents.