The Riverbend Community Garden was established formerly in May 2003 through the funding and dedication of Tufts University, the Hormel/Mystic River Task Force, and the City of Medford. In November 2002, the implementation of a community garden in Medford was presented as a community service project to the Citizenship & Public Service (CPS) Scholars program of the University College at Tufts University. The CPS scholars program is a student organization that promotes and encourages active citizenship in the Tufts, local, and global communities. In addition to learning leadership and public service skills, scholars are required to design and implement their own community service projects. The Riverbend Community Garden is one of dozens of projects that the CPS scholars have undertaken. To facilitate these projects, funds from the University College at Tufts University are available to scholars. The University College granted the Medford Garden Committee, a committee formed to implement the community garden and comprised of Medford residents and one Tufts CPS scholar, approximately $9,000 to fund the design and implementation of the garden. Key highlights include a homemade tool shed, tools for the garden, compost bins, and a 16' x 14' pergola, the main cosmetic feature of the garden. This pergola was custom made from Trellis Structures, located in Beverly, MA. The various Trees surrounding the garden as well as the wysteria and grass surrounding the pergola were funded by the Hormel/Mystic River Task Force. Mayor Michael McGlynn, Head of Medford DPW Paul Gere, and the DPW staff greatly contributed their services towards the garden's construction and support. |