The Perry Cook Community Garden is a project inspired by a large outdoor area connected to the Perry Cook Memorial Library in Johnsville. Here, there is already some activity taking place that extends the vibrant library's educational mission. It provides hands-on opportunities with raised and tabletop garden beds, promotes environmental education partly with it's thriving three year old native pollinator garden, and seeks to expand and enhance the garden to better serve the surrounding community by improving the space in such a way as to increase meaningful community connection with a newly designed performance space/celebration venue, and new paved sidewalks to make it accessible to people of all generations and abilities.
The community is invested in the improvement of this space. There are groups and individuals that volunteer on a regular basis to keep it clean and cultivated. Community members look forward to this project's impact in nurturing the positive attributes the library brings to the community. The desire to create a legacy for future generations is imbedded in the larger library garden plan which includes literacy and wellness programs, enriching soil for sustainable growing, and developing seating, signage, and gathering areas that ensure the space is welcoming for all.
One of the biggest upcoming workdays for the garden will take place during the Serve Ohio Grant Day on Saturday, 6/20 from 9:00 AM- 3:00 PM. Community members are invited to volunteer for all or part of the day as the garden team works together to prepare the space for the busy summer ahead.
