Putnam County residents now have a new place to plant this spring.
The new Highmark Community Garden is accepting applications for raised-bed garden plots for the 2016 season. The garden, located in Valley Park in Hurricane, is the first community garden of its kind in Putnam County.
Scott Williamson, executive director of Putnam County Parks and Recreation, said he's wanted to install a community garden for quite some time.
"It's something I've wanted to do for many years now," Williamson said. "Finally things lined up just right."
Cathy McAlister, manager of corporate communications for Highmark, said this is the second Highmark Community Garden in West Virginia.
Last year, Highmark funded a successful community garden in Parkersburg with 49 raised beds.
The community garden in Hurricane will be slightly bigger, with 60 raised beds, McAlister said.
"This is something Highmark is very passionate about - offering people the ability to grow something fresh and having the means of having healthy food and fresh food," McAlister said. "A lot of people don't have the means or ability of having a garden at their own home."
Williamson said there are many benefits of participating in a community garden. Besides growing food, the community gardens allows residents to get out into nature and socialize with other gardeners.
Gardeners can donate, sell or keep any produce they grow. There are some basic rules gardeners have to follow, such as no growing corn, Williamson said.
There will be a locked gate to get to the garden, and each plot will be surrounded by a fence and secured with an individual lock.
Williamson said gardeners can choose from different plot sizes, starting at $10 for a 2-by-8-foot raised bed to $40 for a 4-by-24-foot raised bed.
Williamson said anyone interested in leasing a plot in the garden should apply early to get the space they want.
McAlister said there will be a community planting day on May 27.
On April 22, Highmark employee volunteers, Putnam County Parks and Recreation and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture began assembling the beds in Valley Park.
McAlister said this was a great learning experience for Highmark employees who volunteered to help. There will also be learning opportunities scheduled for the Future Farmers of America at Buffalo High School, McAlister said.
To request an application or for more information on the Highmark Community Garden, contact Scott Williamson at scott@putnamcountyparks.com.
Applications may also be picked up at the Putnam County Parks and Recreation office in Valley Park.
Reach Laura Haight at laura.haight@wvgazettemail.com,
304-348-4843 or follow @laurahaight_ on Twitter.