The June Southtown Sparkle Award goes to Blue Hills Community Services for the Blue Hills Community Gardens project at 2398 E. 49th St. The garden project has been in operation for three years. They currently have one full time employee and with the help of many volunteers, they are able to maintain 15 raised bed gardens in the area. Project manager Leigh Blumenthal says, “One of the benefits of being a volunteer is that they get the first pick of the harvest at the garden.” The food grown in the gardens goes to residents of the Blue Hills neighborhood free of charge.
The gardens provide fresh fruit and vegetables. Funding for the seeds, plants, and materials comes from donations and grants. Leigh also said, “In the last year and a half we have added a shed and three additional raised beds.” With the continued support of the community through volunteering we look forward to the “growth” and further success of this sustainable community-driven project. Congratulations to Blue Hills Community Garden on being the Sparkle recipient for June.