Photo: WBZ NewsRadio/James Rojas
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — A community garden that's been along the Charles River for nearly fifty years is at risk of being dug up and removed.
As a result, local gardeners hope support grows to keep it in place. "It's amazing, this is only a third of an acre...and so much is growing here," said garden member Damon Krukowski.
The garden is located at Herter Park in Brighton and is filled with lush, green organic vegetables. It has been in that spot since 1976.
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Krukowski says the Department of Conservation and Recreation has proposed to shut it down.
"DCR held a 90-minute Zoom meeting online to announce a plan to destroy this garden and eliminate it in two minutes of a 90-minute Zoom meeting," said Krukowski.
He adds, the plan would replace the garden with normal grass. Public comments are being taken by DCR and they must be submitted by Wednesday night.
WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas reached out to DCR for comment.
UPDATE (10/21/21):
The DCR said in a statement to WBZ NewsRadio the plan for the community garden would be to dig it up and relocate it upstream near the amphitheater and the Henderson Boathouse. They said that moving the garden would "provide ecological benefits, greater access to waterfront public space for all visitors, increased accessibility, and better management of the park." The DCR also said it plans to build raised beds to reduce nitrogen runoff, build infrastructure, and provide parking at the new location for the garden.
WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas (@JamesRojasWBZ) reports:
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