SILVER SPRING, MD—The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) Montgomery Parks was presented with a proclamation in honor of Food Day today from Montgomery County Council President Valerie Ervin.
M-NCPPC Montgomery County Department of Parks Director of Parks Mary Bradford accepted the proclamation, along with David Vismara, Chief of the Horticulture, Forestry and Environmental Education Division which oversees the Community Gardens Program, and Ursula Sabia Sukinik, Community Gardens Coordinator. The proclamation celebrates
the success of the Department of Park’s hugely popular community gardens program, which provides parkland access for Montgomery County residents to grow nutritious fruits and vegetables.
“It is an honor to receive this proclamation from Council President Ervin and the Montgomery County Council,” said Montgomery County Department of Parks Director Mary Bradford. “We just started community gardens in our parks in 2009, and Council President Ervin has been our guiding force and inspiration. Bringing neighbors andcommunities together is a major part of the program, and we’re thrilled that these community gardens provide residents with a place to grow nutritious foods they can share with friends, families and the neighbors they meet.”
In just two years, the Parks community gardens program has grown to include more than 600 community gardeners on 10 locations operated or managed by the Parks Department: Bradley Local Park, Briggs Chaney, Emory Grove Center, Fenton Street Local Park, King Street, Maple Avenue, Parklawn, Rocking Horse Center, Sligo Mill Overlook and South Germantown Recreational Park.
“Since the beginning, Council President Ervin has been a tremendous champion of our community gardens program,” added Bradford. “We thank her for her continued support.”
Montgomery Parks Community Gardens Coordinator Ursula Sabia Sukinik added, “Our community gardeners grow everything from asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, and lettuce to spinach, onions, tomatoes, peppers and more. Gardening helps promote healthy living and reduces the costs for the nutritional food our family needs while bringing the community together to
share, learn and grow. We encourage all residents to take part in this exciting program in 2012 and grow healthy vegetables their family will enjoy.”
Current gardeners can apply to renew existing plots from December 1, 2011 through January 15, 2012. Open enrollment for new community gardeners begins February 1. Interested individuals are encouraged to visit www.ParksCommunityGardens.org to learn more.
Food Day will be celebrated with events around the nation on Tuesday, October 24th. Events seek to bring communities together to discuss the way we produce, consume and think about
food. Learn more about Food Day and find events near you at http://foodday.org/.
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Contact:
Abbi Irelan
Marketing and Public Affairs Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
(301) 495-2532