Herndon Environmental Network Vice President Barbara Walsh wants to see a community garden in Herndon. Photo by Reena Singh.
Community gardens in Herndon are a step closer to becoming a reality.
County Park Authority representatives met with residents on Dec. 2 to find out whether there was a demand to create a revision in Bruin Park’s Master Plan.
“It felt very positive,” said Barbara Welsh, Herndon Environmental Network (HEN) vice president. “Nobody had anything negative to say about it.”
She noted that Dranesville Supervisor John Foust attended to show his support, stating he would help the organization where he could.
The next step for HEN and the rest of the residents interested in a plot is to wait for the county’s 30 day comment period to end, which ends Jan. 2, for the plan to be approved.
“We’ve also started a memorandum of understanding which outlines what the Town of Herndon is responsible for, what Fairfax County is responsible for and what HEN is responsible for,” she said.
Welsh noted that HEN is responsible for taking care of the water and funding to build the garden.
“The next step is to hit the ground running on fundraising,” she said.
HEN has reached out to several businesses, but none have agreed to donating money yet.
The best case scenario is that HEN might have the garden plots ready by spring. Welsh said the organization is planning to work with Julie Mendoza with A Gardener’s Share to give surplus vegetables and fruit to food banks. HEN is also reaching out to Cornerstones to reserve a plot to educate children from local shelters on growing their own food.
To comment about the Master Plan revision, email Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.