The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
GARDENS CELEBRATED
Bowman Community Gardens have grown, are alive with activity
TORRINGTON >> The Bowman Community Gardens were alive with activity Tuesday morning, when city officials and residents gathered to celebrate and re-dedicate the communal space.
The plot of land on Mountain Street was donated to the city in 1975 by Edwin Bowman, according to Elderly Services Director Joel Sekorski, and is now divided into 60 raised garden beds.
Just a few years ago, Sekorski said, the garden had eight raised beds, and faced issues with moisture that delayed the beginning of the growing season — causing some to become “disenchanted” with the gardens.
“Today, we’re celebrating the resurgence of the garden, and how many people have stepped up in the community — the businesses and the volunteers — who have make this possible,” said Sekorski. “We have young seniors right around the age of 60-65 that have come out in droves to take these plots and really make the place how it is today. And you can tell — it is absolutely beautiful up here.”
The raised beds allow for the planting of different vegetables — garlic, asparagus, rhubarb — he said, and gives seniors the chance to reap the bounty of their respective plots year after year. He said that the area provides a chance for exercise, healthy eating, and socialization, among other benefits for local seniors.
A new sign to mark the location of the gardens was donated by Giordano Signs, a Torrington-based company, and bears the names of a number of community businesses
A new sign to mark the location of the gardens was donated by Giordano Signs, a Torrington-based company, and bears the names of a number of community businesses and organizations that have helped make the green space possible.
and organizations that have helped make the green space possible.
Paul Giordano said that, after the idea for the sign was put forward, the choice to donate it became simple.
“We love giving back to the community, and it’s right up here,” said Giordano. “My wife and I discussed it and said ‘Let’s donate it.” It’s a great cause and it’s for a good community.”
Folks that make the gardens part of their lives turned out to be a part of the event Tuesday, including Rich Boulli Sr., who both maintains the property — building the beds, weedwhacking, etc. — along with other volunteers, and grows a variety of vegetables and plants — hot peppers, beets, tomatoes, kale, broccoli, rhubarb, and sunflowers — on a plot there.
“We’re lucky up here to have such a beautiful spot,” said Boulli, who grew up on a farm and became interested in gardening after he retired. He said he liked seeing the community take part in the gardens. “It’s just great to see people enjoying themselves in this world,” he said.
Sekorski noted the contributions of Robert Murphy and Carol Buice, among other volunteers, in documentation he prepared for the occasion. Rose DeMaria said that before turning her attention to her part of the Bowman Community Gardens, she had not gardened in over three decades, but now grows string beans and flowers, among other things, and has met some of her neighbors while tending to her garden.
“For one thing, it gets me off the couch from knitting, so I get my exercise. And then when you pick your vegetables, it’s worth it when you go home and clean them and all, to know that they’re your own and you grew them yourself, it’s pleasure,” said DeMaria. “It’s work, but it’s fun at the same time. Yes, I enjoy it. I like it up here.”
Sekorski, Mayoral Aide Tim Waldron and Mayor Elinor Carbone strolled through the gardens after the formal portion of the morning’s event concluded.
For Carbone, the area is a positive aspect of the city, and an example of what volunteerism can produce in a community. She said that she would like to see the gardens expand, and to create a similar garden to the downtown area.
“It’s just, all around, such a good thing,” said Carbone.