On a little piece of land on the corner of East Dakota Parkway and East Highland Drive in Williston, garden boxes have been built and filled, water hydrants are in place and the landscaping is shaping up. The only item left to complete this project: local gardeners.
Over the course of four years, the Williston Community Builders, along with volunteers and local groups, have made the idea of a community garden for Williston a reality.
“We had seen a need in the community for a community-type project that would allow folks to plant whatever they want in these gardens,” WCB president Nick Lippert said. “For people to come together to make a successful garden.”
For a small yearly fee, gardeners of all kinds can take ownership of their own little piece of land and will be responsible for caring for their space throughout the year. Currently, there are 24 hexagon garden boxes, 16 triangles and 16 rectangles to allow the choice of small, medium and large gardens. Wheelchair accessible planters are in the works, as well as larger on-grade plots.
In true Williston fashion, many have lended what they have to get this project up and running. The WCB connected with the Williston State College Foundation, who said they had a little piece of land that they’d like to make nice for the community. The City of Williston stepped up and brought water out to the site and made an approach for an entrance when they expanded the nearby parking lot.
The Williston High School construction and trades program built the garden shed and Dakota West Crane moved it on site. Landscape Elements was hired, and gave an in-kind donation, to put the finishing touches of rock pathways and a few trees to complete the project.
The WCB is looking for people to start taking over the plots for fall gardens yet this year, at no fee. In early 2024, prices will be set in order for gardeners to get to their beds for spring planting.
WCB is also looking for members to serve on the board that will help manage the garden. If interested, reach out to them on the Williston Community Builders’ Facebook page or their website communitybuildersnd.com.