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Grow Saginaw receives increasing support from community

Grow Saginaw Garden Project
(Courtesy Photo)

 

Padraic Ingle conceived the Grow Saginaw Community Garden Project (G.S.C.G.P.) when he noticed the blight in Saginaw. Once he opened his eyes and started to really “see” the city’s need for rejuvenation, he became concerned. Then he became involved.

Ingle, an avid gardener, lives in Bay City, but spends most of his time in Saginaw. “Saginaw has a lot of character,” he stated. “It is a city rich in creativity, home to a large community of talented artists.” Ingle wanted to do something that would showcase Saginaw’s diversity by enhancing the area through his garden project.

Ingle believes in “strengthening community through unity.”

It is the mission of Grow Saginaw to reclaim a sense of community in Saginaw through the implementation of community gardens on vacant lots throughout the city. Educational aspects will be emphasized to the benefit of all in attendance, including informative programs geared toward children by application of the techniques of permaculture.

Permaculture is based on ecological and biological principles, often using patterns that occur in nature to maximize effect and minimize work. Permaculture aims to create stable, productive systems that provide for human needs, harmoniously integrating the land with its inhabitants.

One major catalyst of their motivation was the senseless December 2nd murder of Saginaw resident, Sean Stennett.  Stennett was a peaceful and loving individual who is fondly remembered as always having a smile on his face. “He is gone but not forgotten, brightly shines his light,” said Ingle.  

A  Zen Meditational Garden, titled “Sean Zen” and dedicated to his memory, will grace the City of Saginaw as an ever present reminder of just who and what the City and the World has lost in the death of  this bright young man with such broad intellectual capacity and potential. “We cannot allow his death to be in vain,” Ingle said. “It’s simply not an option.”

Grow Saginaw aims to work with local soup kitchens and food pantries by donating from their gardens through collaborative efforts with Hidden Harvest, a non-profit organization based in Saginaw. G.S.C.G.P. is also striving for collaboration with and consolidation of the likewise ambitions and initiatives of other organizations such as S.C.R.A.P., Houghton Jones Neighborhood Association, Saginaw Community Foundation, and The Chamber of Commerce, as well as with educators from both Delta College and S.V.S.U.

“This is no small undertaking,” stated Ingle, “but we are comprised of many great individuals who are enthusiastic and full of good intent.”

Studies have proven that projects like community gardens create unity among individual citizens and bring about a sense of pride in ownership to a city’s residents. Participation on any level is welcome with open arms. Meetings are currently being openly held every Sunday at noon at the Red Eye Café on Hamilton St. in Saginaw to discuss course of action and delegation of duties. Simply attend one of their meetings to learn more about how to start and maintain your own backyard garden, or to become more involved in a community garden coming soon near you.

Donations of materials and volunteers include 20 55-gallon drums for rain catchment from Tim Boutell, owner of Firehouse Carwash, logo, event poster, and flyer design by local artist, Paolo Pedini, website development by Eric Richards, flyers and brochures by Lacey Tinglan. Another local artist, Eric Schantz, has volunteered to paint murals and signs, and John Carnahan has offered to help with printing needs. There are many other volunteers and sponsors who dedicate their time and efforts to this worthy project.

April 23, volunteers will be handing out flyers during the Saginaw Onstage event at Apple Mountain.

May 1st they will break ground and make ready acquired lots. Mid to late May Grow Saginaw will host “A Day in the Garden,” a planting party and benefit on one of their lots. Notifications will soon be made available to announce the event and how sponsors may participate. There will be bands, catered food, a 50/50 raffle, and possibly even a silent auction.

Ingle says, “Come one, come all, and gather in the garden. It will prove to be a memorable day full of good times with good people, all for an unquestionably good cause.”

Grow Saginaw also plans to auction off the privilege of “Main Sponsor” on EBay, beginning April 25th. It will appear as “Main Sponsor Presents a Day in the Garden” on banners, posters, flyers, and brochures that will soon fill your senses everywhere you look. They will also place their secondary sponsorship position up for auction on EBay as well. This will be a great opportunity to present your business to the public eye in a positive light.

Grow Saginaw Community Garden Project is now able to receive checks made out to G.S.C.G.P. All donations from businesses are welcome, even those not necessarily relevant to gardening.

For more information or inquiries regarding sponsorship opportunities, volunteering, or to make a donation, call 293-0661, visit www.facebook.com/growsaginaw, or inquire by email: growsaginaw@gmail.com.

 

 

 

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