May 20 Plant Swap!

SRIV takes over supervision of Charlestown Community Garden

Garden poised to grow

Beware, Charlestown vampires - the garlic is coming up!

By Will Collette

In a quiet and noncontroversial way, the Charlestown Town Council approved the transformation of the Charlestown Community Garden from being a quasi-municipal program to becoming a part of the network of services run by the non-profit Southern Rhode Island Volunteers (SRIV). The measure was included in the Council’s “consent agenda” for April 14 and was approved unanimously without discussion or debate.

The Garden was started in spring 2011 in Ninigret Park and has been producing up to 3,000 pound of fresh vegetables and fruit each year. That produce is distributed among local food panties and programs including SRIV’s senior meals program.

SRIV Director Deb Tanner said “SRIV is already delivering meals on wheels and food from local food pantries to elders, disabled adults, and families in need.  SRIV also provides rides for senior citizens to RICAN and the Jonnycake Center food pantries to pick up food.  The garden’s purpose just fits our mission of service to our neighbors in need across Washington County.”

This Saturday, pitch in by pitching out

Help us polish up this diamond in the rough

Charlestown’s Crown Jewel

By Cheryl Dowdell, Friends of Ninigret Park, Sub-Committee Chair

Once a key training base for Navy pilots

Ninigret Park in Charlestown RI is a jewel in South County, where thousands of hikers, bikers, swimmers, soccer and ball players, stargazers and vacationers come from around the world to enjoy its beauty.

The Park was a gift from the United States when the Naval Training Station and Airfield was closed in the 1970’s. Since then, the Town of Charlestown has been making improvements.

Perhaps you have visited the Frosty Drew Observatory and Nature Center, the Dog Park, fished at Little Nini Pond or attended many of the annual events, including the Big Apple Circus, The Charlestown Seafood Festival, and The Rhythm and Roots Festival.

Get your garden soil tested on Saturday

UPDATED: Council OKs expanded camping for Rhythm & Roots

Crisis averted, but town fault lines widen

If Dan Slattery had his way, this would be the only approved entertainment

By Will Collette

On a 5 to 0 vote in its Special Meeting, the Town Council approved the one item on the agenda: the request from Rhythm and Roots promoter Chuck Wentworth for an added camping spaces for 200 people that would allow his staff and volunteers to stay together in one location.

Town Administrator Mark Stankiewicz presented the Council with his recommendation that they approve the request based on his consultation with town department heads. Read his memo here.

During the course of the meeting, many residents voiced their opinions, pro and con. Generally, several  Arnolda neighborhood residents voiced their general opposition not only to the Festival but to many other human activities in the Park while most others supported R&R. However, the chair of the Arnolda Association said that she polled the members and the majority were in favor of the proposal.

Arnolda resident Dave Bailey, who also serves on the Budget Commission, spoke at great length about the cumulative “damage” caused by such activities as the events, the community garden, the ice rink, the now dismantled MET tower and on and on.

Calling all artisans and craftspeople

Reserve your space now, for the Harvest Festival in Ninigret Park

A Harvest Festival is being held at Ninigret park on September 22 from 10am to 5pm, followed by a square dance until 6:30. The festival is a fundraiser for the Charlestown Community Garden, which provides food to the senior center, the Johnnycake center, local food pantries, and Meals on Wheels. They run solely on the energy and time of volunteers, and need funding to continue their good work.

The organizers are anticipating a very big turnout for this event, and would like to invite you to fill out an application (available here) to be considered for attendance. The price is very reasonable, and fees will be returned if for any reason we cannot process the application (we do not want too many people selling the same item, we are sure that you don't, either!). Note that all participants must have an interactive demo/activity to share with the attendees.

Please consider joining us for a day of community, food, theatre performance, music and square dancing. All money from fees will go towards the garden. If you would like to volunteer or help in any other capacity do not hesitate to contact Katie McAllister at 965-4041or the other phone numbers or email on the application.

Cross Mills Farmers Market opens this week

New Thinking for New Farmers Markets

Kevin Thibodeau, owner of Lucky Foot Ranch, joined a
recent strategy session with other vendors
for a new Charlestown farmers market.
(Tim Faulkner/ecoRI News)

By TIM FAULKNER/ecoRI.org News staff

CHARLESTOWN — It was only a few years ago that farmers markets were nearly extinct, marginalized by the car culture, shopping centers and fast food.

That trend has reversed in a big way in Rhode Island, with nearly 50 regular farmers markets today, several running through the winter.

Your Community Garden needs you!

Started last year, Charlestown's Community Garden is gaining momentum.

During April of last year a crew of able bodied individuals were putting up fencing and gates. By May they were planting donated seedlings and seeds and before long donated produce was going to the seniors in the Community Center, RICAN, and the Johnnycake in Westerly – almost 2000 lbs we estimate.

The Charlestown Community Garden Needs You!

If you're like me you didn't even know we have a Community Garden. But we do, it's new, it's great, and you can help make it a reality!

The Charlestown Community Garden – A Sustainable Hunger Solution is a 9,500 square foot, all-enclosed garden located at the Community/Senior Center in Ninigret Park.  This new volunteer-driven garden is the brainchild of Eagle Scout candidate Christopher Hacunda in collaboration with Jay Primiano, our Director of Parks and Recreation.   Mr. Hacunda and Mr. Primiano have been garnering local donations from area businesses and community members as well as encouraging volunteer groups to assist with the project.

The following work has been accomplished so far:

• Raised bed is ready for planting,
• Ground based beds are ready for planting
• Deer fence installed
• Rabbit fencing buried and installed

Now they need your help to get plants and trees into the ground!   

Come to the Community Garden next to the Community/Senior Center in Ninigret Park any time between 10 am and 3 pm on Sunday June 5th to help out.

Thanks!