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New Gardens

By Paula Canning

Staff Writer



CHICOPEE Chicopee Village Town Homes residents gathered in the heart of the Village on Western Drive last Thursday to welcome the newest addition to their living area a 46 by 32 foot Community Garden that will be maintained by the residents.

The goal is to have residents sign individual contracts to maintain one of the 24 6x8 inch plots in the garden, according to Monica Goucher, resident service coordinator for the Chicopee Village who spearheaded the project.

"It's something positive for residents that gives them ownership of where they live," said Goucher.

She said she the idea to construct the garden "just came to her" when she was attempting to find a way to do something positive for the residents.

She explained that Winn Residential, the owner of the Village Town Homes, funded the project.

The $1,000 needed to complete the project has been in the company's budget since January, she explained.

The garden is not only intended to encourage residents to get involved in their community, but she said it will also help to deter children from damaging the property.

"It's all about ownership of something," Goucher explained. "We're hoping that the kids will see the garden and the property as theirs and not want to damage it."

Goucher expects that the project will be well-received by the Village Town Homes residents.

"I'm thinking the plots will fill up really quick," she said.

She explained that The Village has a high population of youth, with 470 children living in the 290 units of 1, 2, and 3 family homes.

A few of the residents who gathered at the groundbreaking have already signed contracts.

One of these residents, Melba Toribio, said that the garden is a "beautiful idea."

Toribio, a mother of four who has bee a resident at the Chicopee Village for the past three years, said that her children are all excited for the garden.

She said she thinks that the garden will be well-received by the residents who occupy the building.

"There's a lot of good people in this Village," Toribio said.

Kim Paradise, also a resident, said that the community project is likely to discourage children from bad behavior.

"It's a good idea because it will keep kids out of trouble," Paradise said. "They will be able to work on the garden instead of just hanging out."

Dana Dicoco, property manager for the Village Town Homes, said, "It's a good way to get the families involved. I can't wait to see the first tomato grow." According to Goucher, a number of area business have made the Community Garden possible.

For example, Fairview Fence in Chicopee, provided the fencing for the garden and A.M.P.M. Plumbing in Agawam has provided plumbing services.

In addition,Taylor Davis landscaping of Amherst provided the back-hoeing for the project.

The Village was also assisted by Boys and Girls Club of Chicopee, which transported children who live in the Village Town Homes from the Club on Meadow Street to the site of the groundbreaking.

Goucher explained that this reflects a continued collaboration between the Village Town Homes and the Boys and Girls Club.

She explained that the children who live in the Village are offered a number of benefits through the Boys and Girls Club, such as free membership.

Come August, Goucher said that she will return to the garden and examine and evaluate how well the garden is maintained.

She said that ample space surrounding the garden makes for a strong possibility that the garden may be expanded.

Anyone that is a resident of The Village and is interested in signing a contract can contact Goucher at 598-8326.