LIVERMORE FALLS — A community garden is taking root behind the police station, all because 10-year-old Liam Reed asked town officials if there was one and when told no, stated there should be one.
Town Clerk Doris Austin told the Select Board at their May 20 meeting that Liam had come into the office and was very interested in starting a community garden. Austin and Town Manager Carrie Castonguay applied for a Maine Community Foundation grant and received $4,595 for the garden, Austin noted. Raised beds will be added in the triangle near the police station entryway, she said.
“This will be a good opportunity for community members to be introduced to the Police Department before they get into a bad situation,” Austin said on June 2.
Liam is 10 years old, in the fourth grade, Austin stated. “He is from Colorado and there was a community garden there,” she noted. “He has only been in Livermore Falls about a year. His grandpa is Tim Stewart.”
There is going to be a sign put up for the garden, Austin stated. “I have a name in mind — My Friends’ Garden — (and) want to check with Liam before making a final decision,” she said.
Initial plans to purchase galvanized raised beds changed. “We talked about that at the selectmen meeting,” she said. “I got a couple of phone calls, decided to do something different. My husband made the planters. I found some used barrels for sale that had had Mt. Dew in them.” She is on the lookout for more.
There are four raised beds, each with two sections. “We made them so people of all abilities can work in them,” Austin stated. “There will be 11 pots for herbs. We will have chives, lavender, basil, thyme, dill, sage.” Someone might want to make pickles, use herbs for cooking or other things, she said.
Austin has picked up a few seedlings for the garden from Clarks Farm Stand in Turner and plans to get more from Chretiens Greenhouses in Livermore Falls soon. “There will be tomatoes, green peppers, beets, radishes, cucumbers, summer squash, zucchini,” she said.
People are welcome to visit or work in the garden at any time, Austin stated. “Five in the morning or 8 at night, we just want people to come here. It’s going to be very, very good. I am excited. I have talked with a lot of senior citizens who used to garden, are looking forward to this. They either lost their partner or just can’t do it anymore. The social interaction is important, too.”
Having different levels is important to Austin. “The raised beds are up higher, the herb pots will be lower. I want them accessible to anyone who wants to garden,” she stressed.
She also wants to add a bench. “If someone needs to take a break, they will be able to,” she said, “or just to sit and relax.”
It does not take up a huge area. “It’s enough to get involved,” she said. “If it works well, I would like to expand next year. Maybe add some things near the top of the retaining wall in the area along the building.”
Highway Foreman Bill Nichols will pick up the soil, coming from Adam Castonguay, Austin said.
A large rain barrel will be placed near the building. “We are putting rain gutters on the roof,” Austin said. “We are hoping to catch lots of water to use for the garden.”
Austin was really impressed with Liam Reed. “He came into the office all by himself, asked if there was a community garden,” she noted. “He said he thought we should have one.”
Liam and Stewart were expected at the garden that afternoon after Liam got out of school, Austin had said previously. He arrived later than expected, got involved right away with helping to place the rain barrel, she said.
Austin said Liam told her, “I would just like to invite everyone to My Friends’ Garden, work in the garden and get to know our neighbors.”
