By Jocelyn Bogen
May 14, 2012

Residents will have greater access to fresh and healthy food choices as result of The U.S. Conference of Mayors and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company GRO1000 gardens and green spaces grant awarded to Corpus Christi Mayor Joe Adame held May 7 in Corpus Christi.

Corpus Christi dedicated The EDGE Garden at Lindale Park , which will provide locally grown and healthy food options for area residents. The Park was transformed into a community garden and will serve as model for environmental education. Adame led the dedication, which kicks off his strategic plan for community gardening set forth in the city's recently compiled Integrated Community Sustainability Plan.

"I am proud of our staff, The U.S. Conference of Mayors, ScottsMiracle-Gro and the GRO1000 partners for helping to bring community gardening and healthy living options to our city," said Adame. "The Lindale Garden will help transform our community and the lives of our residents."

The Corpus Christi GRO1000 event involved 30 third graders who are members of the "Dig It Plant It Grow It "afterschool club at Weldon Smith Elementary School. Every Tuesday, students green the area around their Corpus Christi school every. A goal of the GRO1000 program is to cultivate gardeners for the next generation. This event was an intergenerational garden with students, master gardeners and senior citizens working together building new raised edible gardening beds. Gardening and environmental education activities will continue to take place for area residents and youth at the site. The Give Back To Gro Youth Gardener Award was presented to Jasmine Puga, a six-year-old student from Weldon Smith Elementary School and the youngest recipient to receive the award this year.

"We are honored to be working with the city of Corpus Christi to improve the health and well-being of its residents through the GRO1000 program," said Jim Tates, Southwest Regional President for ScottsMiracle-Gro. "Through the development of urban community gardens, residents will be able to enjoy the benefits of gardening while helping to build a healthier city."

The EDGE Garden at Lindale Park will serve as an educational site for Corpus Christi residents to learn about growing fruits and vegetables and cooking healthy meals. Families will harvest produce for their own meals, as well as have an opportunity to share or sell their goods at Lindale Park community events. The garden will also be a valuable tool for educating residents on rainwater harvesting, composting, native plants and turf management best practices.

GRO1000 Corpus Christi was made possible through the combined efforts of local partners, the city, and national partners including, The U.S. Conference of Mayors and ScottsMiracle-Gro, The Corpus Christi GRO1000 event is one of several public installation events being held in the U.S. in 2012.