More like this, please! Another great idea for Salem

Turn park space into gardens

There are undeveloped parks and unused spaces that are reserved for the public. These undeveloped parks could be utilized as seasonal gardens.

I believe there are families who would eagerly plant, maintain and harvest food for the months ahead if they had an individual garden space.

The City Council and the parks commission and a few compassionate local citizens could create a number of community gardens. Individual gardens could be divided and rented out for the season. Individual plot agreements should include the type of garden planned, and the weeding and fertilizer to be used (invasive plants must be forbidden).

There may be one or more generous tractor farmers who would contribute time and efforts to prepare the soil for the planting.

At the time the parks were created, they may have appropriated funds to install water for landscaping, restrooms, etc. If park funding is not available, perhaps government stimulus funds will install sprinkler irrigation pipes to the garden plots. Watering could be overseen on a night schedule by the parks employees.

Volunteering time and effort for this project should bring pride to the city of Salem.

— Annabel Stanley Weldon, Salem