DOVER A Dover resident has approached City Council for approval to turn seven city-owned lots between Regent Street and E. Broadway Street into a community garden.
Nathan Fensler told council members Monday that the garden, to be located near the municipal light plant, would be a place for "friends, families, neighbors and youth to come together to appreciate nature and learn about food sustainability."
Fensler said he envisioned building the garden in three phases.
The first phase would involve construction of 32 raised vegetable beds that would be 5 feet wide, 12 feet long and 1 foot deep. Each would have nine inches of soil and three inches of compost and mulch. "The material on top would keep the weeds down and help hold in the moisture," he said.
Fensler said he would like to construct the beds with locust trees from downtown. "They have a natural fungicide in them, so they are naturally resistant to rot and decay. So they're probably the best use for a raised bed because they don't release any toxic chemicals in the ground."
The first phase would also include converting a shipping container into a tool-storage unit. Fensler said the shed would be in compliance with regulations of the East Central Ohio Building Authority and would be decorated with a garden theme.
The second phase would involve building a greenhouse and gazebo, while phase three would include a picnic shelter and restroom.
The entire project would be funded through donations from a crowd-funding campaign. He estimated it would cost about $65,000, including $11,000 for phase one, $18,000 for phase two and $36,000 for phase three.
"It could be really beautiful," Fensler said.
He noted that the project has received support from several local businesses, and a Facebook group started to promote the garden has nearly 300 members.
Not everyone supports the project, though.
Councilman Robert Mueller read a petition from 18 residents of the nearby Tin Town neighborhood who oppose the gardens.
The petition cited several concerns, including that it poses safety concerns for children and "exposure to unknown persons on a daily basis." The gardens would increase the population of nuisance wildlife traveling from the Tuscarawas River; a compost site and portable restrooms would create noxious odors; it would create safety, invasion of privacy and noise issues for elderly residents; and create traffic and parking issues on Regent Street. Opponents also questioned why anyone would want to plant a garden on site that is polluted from past and present factories.
Mueller said he has yet to make up his mind on the garden.
"As someone that is supportive of reduce, reuse, recycle and renewals, I like the idea," he said. "I'm not saying yes or no. We will talk about it at the next meeting. It's something to look into."
He said he hoped that those opposing and supporting the garden project could get together to discuss it.
Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.
On Twitter: @jbakerTR