Politics & Government

Sign-Ups for Joint Community Garden Plots Begin

There will be a lottery if there are more applications than available plots.

A section of Woodland Park has been leveled and a cover crop has been planted for the new Joint Community Garden of the Chathams.

Now, it's time to see who wants a garden plot.

Residents interested in having a garden plot for the 2014 growing season can visit the borough or township websites, or municipal buildings for more information and an application, according to an announcement about the application.

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Possible lot sizes are full-sized at 10 feet by 10 feet ($35 annual fee), half-sized at 5 feet by 10 feet ($18) and quarter-sized at 5 feet by 5 feet ($10). Officials have said the location could hold 60 plots.

If there are more applications than plots available, plots will be allocated by a lottery, with equal opportunities for township and borough residents.

Find out what's happening in Chathamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Civic groups will be given preference, and the garden committee will work to accommodate any person who has been on the waiting list for more than three years, according to the application packet.

The application notes gardeners are expected to plant to their gardens by June 1, keep them weeded and otherwise maintained, and follow the community garden rules.

Having a plot involves a substantial time commitment, the cost of supplies, and mandatory volunteering for the garden's benefit (5 hours for those with full-sized plots, 3 hours for those with half-sized plots and 1.5 hours for those with quarter-sized plots).

The garden will have water spigots and a perimeter deer fence with gates, according to the application packet.

Woodland Park is jointly owned by both Chatham Borough and Chatham Township. PSE&G this year revoked a lease for the since-closed Chatham Borough Community Garden, citing safety concerns related to the installation of new poles and power lines.

Applications must be received no later than Dec. 31 at residents' respective municipal buildings:

For Chatham Borough Residents:

For Chatham Township Residents:

Correction: The application deadline is Dec. 31. An earlier version of this post gave an incorrect date.


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