Bridgewater Community, located off of Cooke Road, Mansfield is a private community of condominiums. As you enter the picturesque neighborhood, you can almost get a sense that you have entered a small town of sorts.
The community consists of 40 acres and six ponds and offers a number of appealing features, a private clubhouse, fitness facility, community pool, even its own nine acre nature preserve complete with walking trails. Aside from the obvious amenities there is another feature tucked away within the pristine landscape, a community garden. “It’s the people that make it successful,” said Bob Kirkendall retired CEO and along with his wife Joyce residents of Bridgewater. Complete with fencing, first year 100 foot by 35 foot community project was born.
Kirkendall went on to share the inspiration for the garden came from the collective mindset of a community of residents wanting fresh, healthy foods and a way to bring the community together. “The heritage of a lot our neighbors is from a time that gardening was a big part of their life.” “This brings back a lot of good memories for them.” So at a community meeting Kirkendall and a group of about 17 residents implemented the plan. “It all starts with good preparation.”
With the goal to bring the community together and the benefit of fresh, garden goods the work began in December. Residents donated money, tools and time working side by side towards the vision.
The plot was divided among residents who wished to have a private row or two and also a section that was deemed communal to be available for those who wish to come and care for the plants as well as take what they need at harvest time. “It’s all been well received,” said Kirkendall.
The garden consists of an abundance of vegetables; tomatoes,spinach and lettuce of different colors and varieties are some of the favorites that can be found in the private rows. The communal patch is a collection of lettuces, zucchini, eggplant, red potatoes, sweet corn and more. “The fun is ahead of us, in the harvesting,” Kirkendall said.
