It’s Children’s Fun Day @ the OFW Community Garden!

A creative collaboration of many local residents, the Old Ferguson West Community Garden will host a Children's Fun Day on Saturday, May 8.

In 2004, when Larry and Heather Robinett bought a long-neglected, seriously rundown house up the street from me in Old Ferguson West, I never imagined they could top the spectacular feat of its extensive renovation. They spent several years completely gutting the old Victorian and bringing it back to life, all the while working full-time jobs and adding two new children to their sizable brood.

Fast forward to 2009. That’s when the Robinetts, who were already involved with the neighborhood association and several other volunteer endeavors, decided that OFW needed a community garden. The city had a vacant lot available right at the border of Kinloch and Ferguson, and Larry and Heather just knew that a vibrant garden would transform and re-energize this troubled little corner of the community.

They worked for much of 2009 preparing the site and raising funds. They also recruited local plumber Dan Flynn, who installed a water line on the property for free! Many long Saturday work days and lots of volunteers later, the garden was officially on its way. Then in March 2010, following the installation of 20 raised beds courtesy of Gateway Greening, the OFW Community Garden opened for “business.”

More than 20 residents are currently gardening there, and the Robinetts keep adding more and more plants and amenities. As if that isn’t enough, they’re now jazzing up the garden with art!

This Saturday, May 8, Ferguson artist Heidi Lung (my dear and very talented friend) will be painting a mural with the help of local children, creating a colorful backdrop for the garden. On this special Children’s Fun Day, kids will also be able to plant seeds, paint a Mother’s Day pot, plant seedlings for a local food pantry, hula hoop, jump rope and more! And lunch for them is free!

All are welcome at this lively community event, even those who don’t live in Ferguson. So why not come by and meet the Robinetts, visit the lovely OFW Garden, and see what an active, creative, hard-working group of neighbors can achieve! You’ll be glad you did!

The Old Ferguson West Community Garden is located at the corner of Mueller and Suburban, 63135. For more info about Children’s Fun Day, which goes from 9am – 2pm, visit the garden’s blog.

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