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Breaking ground on Griffing Park Community Garden on Sept. 23
Spindletop Center, in association with the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce, has broken ground on the new Griffing Park Community Garden, the center announced Sept. 23 when Spindletop Center and community leaders unveiled the garden plot during a virtual groundbreaking ceremony.
“The Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce commends Spindletop Center for investing in a future community garden located in Port Arthur,” said Paige Snyder, membership director for the Chamber.
The Griffing Park Community Garden plans to focus not only on community beautification, but also on bringing much-needed fresh produce to lesser-served populations.
The garden will include a variety of features, such as raised beds for those who have difficulty with mobility, in-ground plots suitable for growing many fruits and vegetables, a shade structure, perennial herbs and flowers, fruit trees, large shade trees, a greenhouse and picnic benches.
Garden plots will be available to individuals served at Spindletop Center through the program for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Community members will be offered plots at sliding-scale fees based on ability to pay.
“Being a part of this garden is a great way for the community to get outside and get to know their neighbors,” said Shannon Mcnicholas, an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) who is planning the development of the garden. “I love gardening because I am able to get outside and be active while watering, cultivating and harvesting all of those little plants. Having this community garden nearby will allow me to form connections with others while doing what makes me happy.”
Donations for the garden are welcomed and appreciated, Spindletop stated in a news release. For more information about donating or getting involved with the Griffing Park Community Garden, contact the AmeriCorps VISTA team at VISTA@stctr.org.
About the Spindletop Center
Spindletop Center is a nonprofit health care organization specializing in behavioral health care, programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and substance use services for each stage of life. The center serves more than 10,000 people annually throughout Jefferson, Hardin, Orange and Chambers counties and has campuses in Beaumont, Port Arthur, Orange and Silsbee. Spindletop promotes healthy living in the community through innovative and best-practice options meant to meet the unique needs of every family. The mission of the Spindletop Center is “to help people help themselves by providing resources and supports.”