Franklin Park’s new community gardens give residents an opportunity to grow their own vegetables or plants in a public space, thanks in part to last year’s junior council person Jackie DiGiacomo.

The gardens, located across from Linbrook Park off Big Sewickley Creek Road, officially opened June 14. Residents could apply earlier this year for one of the 10 garden plots. DiGiacomo, who just graduated from North Allegheny High School, was instrumental in coming up with the idea and working with Franklin Park staff to make it a reality.

“A garden is something I wanted to do to contribute back to the community,” she said. “The council was really enthusiastic about it.”

She, along with Franklin Park Borough Mayor Dennis O’Keefe, borough staff and its environmental advisory committee members, worked over the past year to make the project happen.

The site is located at an old farm purchased recently by the borough, which O’Keefe said was a perfect spot for the gardens. The plots are 10 feet by 12 feet.

Plots were advertised to residents via email and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. If the pilot program is successful, officials will look into adding more plots for next year, O’Keefe said.

There is already a waiting list, DiGiacomo said.

Franklin Park Borough’s junior council member program is open to 11th- and 12th-grade students who reside in the borough and are from an eligible high school. The program is designed to encourage high school juniors and seniors to participate in local government and to provide their perspective and input, according to the borough.

Some of DiGiacomo’s responsibilities for this project included preparing and presenting a proposal to borough council and working with the staff and other volunteers to bring the project to fruition.

Because it’s a pilot program, the fees will be waived this year. But if successful, a plot “rental” fee — an amount yet to be determined — will be implemented next year, DiGiacomo said.

Anuradha Srireddi of Franklin Park is sharing a plot with her neighbor. She was there on opening day to see her new garden.

“Near my house there are too many animals. My neighbor and I were excited to plant a garden here. We thought it would grow better here,” she said.

She also said it’s a great opportunity for neighborly interaction.

“You do it together, meet people, learn more about gardening,” she said.

The two lots that make up the farm constitute approximately 10.5 acres. The properties were purchased in Nov. 3, 2020, for $300,000, O’Keefe said.

“Our purpose was, and is, to further extend our already great park system, protect additional green space and to explore restoring the 1830s log house and 1900 barn that are on the property,” he said.

O’Keefe said not much work had to be put into preparing the land for the garden, just adding more dirt and grading it. The borough has plans to install a portable water storage tank for irrigation purposes. If successful, there’s enough land to expand the project, he said.

Overall, he said, DiGiacomo worked hard as a junior council person.

“Jackie has been involved in lots of projects,” he said.

DiGiacomo, 18, is heading to Allegheny College, in Meadville, Crawford County, in the fall. She’s majoring in environmental science and economics and will participate in track and field. But she’ll keep up with the garden’s progress, she said.

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