Tarentum Council considering renaming community garden for Pastor Greg Blythe

Tarentum Council is considering renaming the borough’s community garden.

The existing Friendship Garden, from which people are free to take whatever fruits and vegetables they want or need, could be renamed to honor Pastor Greg Blythe.

Blythe, pastor of Abundant Joy Fellowship, was one of the founders of the garden, located along First Avenue near Dreshar Stadium. He was 62 when he died on Nov. 23 from cancer.

Last year marked the garden’s fourth season.

Volunteers are sought to tend to it, including planting and maintenance. Those who take things from the garden are asked to help, but it’s not required.

The garden is intended to help get fresh produce to people in the borough. A “Free Little Pantry” of dry goods, which people can contribute food to as they can, or take from as they need, also is at the garden.

At its voting meeting Thursday, Jan. 10, council is expected to vote on renaming the garden and permitting the borough’s Recreation Board to place a plaque there.

Beyond incorporating Blythe’s name, officials have not yet settled on what the garden’s new name will be. A resident suggested keeping “Friendship Garden” in the name, as that was the name Blythe had picked.

Councilwoman Carrie Fox said the plaque will include Blythe’s name and some information about him.

“He was very instrumental in this town and he deserves it,” Fox said.

Blythe’s son, Adam Blythe, is vice president of borough council.

The renaming of the garden will follow council in September naming the band shell at Riverview Memorial Park as the Mayor Carl Magnetta Jr. Memorial Amphitheater. Magnetta, a former borough mayor and councilman, died July 1, 2018 at the age of 79.

Brian Rittmeyer is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Brian at 724-226-4701, brittmeyer@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BCRittmeyer.