Cook St Park
In 2012 the Park was a no-mans land. Gangs gathered there, burned equipment and intimidated people. Girls from English High School fought while others watched and videoed. Gunshots were heard. Drug users shot up. Drinking alcohol was normal behavior. Families would not send their children to the Park.
In 2013, supported by the Parks Commission, neighbors, churches, Councilor Trahant and DPW, we built the first community garden in a City park since the Victory Gardens of World War II After six summers of gardening, gang activity, alcohol and drug use dropped significantly. Families have returned. City Council set aside $60,000 for play equipment, converted the tennis court into a play area and fenced off the soccer area. Through the initiative of Food and Fitness, the Parks Commission allowed three more gardens to be built in Lynn.
Click here to learn more: Cook St. Community Garden and Park
Some of the Plants We Grow
We don’t only grow veggies, we teach their origins and their nutrient value. As do we, plants have a history. They were wild plants that evolved through natural selection or changed by farmers to make them edible. For example corn or maize (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
