Local gardeners, cyclists, “foodies,” and interested community members will have a chance to tour several of the area’s community gardens this Saturday, August 16, during “Tour de Fleur,” a community bike/walk garden tour.
The tour will begin at North End Community Improvement Collaborative (NECIC), 199 N. Main St. in Mansfield, with three tour options. Registration will begin at 12:30 p.m. and the tours will set off at 1 p.m. Each tour will consist of a tour group and a guide, and the groups are encouraged to stay together.
Walking Tour A will tour six gardens, cover two miles, and take approximately two hours.
Walking Tour B will begin with group A, but continue to South Park before returning to NECIC, touring 10 gardens and covering a total of 4.3 miles in four hours.
The third option is the Bicycling Tour, which will tour up to 11 gardens over 6.2 miles, and will take approximately three and a half hours.
NECIC Community Garden/Local Foods Program Coordinator Jean Taddie noted that the first garden to be viewed will be the one at NECIC. “One of its highlights is that yes, you can grow food in a parking space,” she said.
“When possible, we’ll spend about 15 minutes at each garden with the garden organizer explaining what their vision is, why they do this, and what happens to the produce,” said Taddie.
Some gardens may be looking for volunteers, she added, and may be able to assist those that want to learn to garden. “It’s a really neat opportunity for someone that wants to grow vegetables but may have no idea where to start,” she said.
Paul Bender of Richland Moves noted the “Tour de Fleur” event is designed to bridge the gap between urban agriculture and active transportation.
“It’s a great way to see how both of those elements are part of a healthy future of our community,” noted Taddie.
Bender said he had taken note of garden tours in other cities, and wanted to bring something similar to the Mansfield area, an event that is sociable as well as informational and educational.
“As far as I’m aware, this will be the first event of this type, at least since I’ve been here,” said Bender. “We hope to continue this event, perhaps even in the autumn, if the first is a success and draws interest and participants.”
Taddie added that the tour is a great way to explore how neighborhoods and organizations revitalized vacant lots and met the need for fresh produce while building community relations.
Altered Eats will offer fresh lunch entrees at the Welcome Garden, located at Marion Avenue and Benton Street, from 1 – 4 p.m. and at South Park from 4 – 7 p.m. Prices range from $3 to $5.
Taddie noted that Altered Eats hopes to offer a “community garden salad,” with produce gathered from the tour gardens. A portion of the proceeds would benefit community garden seed funds.
Comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and water bottle are suggested.
The event is sponsored by NECIC, Raising Richland, Richland Moves, Friends of the Mansfield Parks, and Altered Eats.
RSVPs are encouraged by calling NECIC at 419-525-3101 or via email to Madonna@necic-ohio.org.
