The Arbor Community Garden
A History
Arbor Community Garden was established at what is now Arbor Good Neighbor House, in 1991. At that time, it consisted of ten 20’x20’ plots and was coordinated by Jim Stehley, the individual responsible for bringing the garden to fruition. The cost to gardeners was $10/plot ($5/half plot) for the year and included access to water and some basic gardening tools.
Fast forward thirty-five years later and the footprint of Arbor Community Garden has expanded to 10,00 square feet. Gardening space now consists of 12 approximately 260 square foot plots, an 800 square foot community plot where food is grown for donation, and an area allocated to a growing number of container beds. The garden also includes designated areas for things like the raspberry patch planted in 2025 and proposed pollinator beds. The cost to gardeners in 2026 is $20/plot ($10/ half plot) and $5-$10 for container beds, but if cost is prohibitive that fee can be reduced or waived. Water and gardening tools continue to be provided, with tomato cages and vegetable seedlings having been added to the mix.
Read: Arbor Good Neighbor House and Its Community Garden by Ron Heinrich
Download the Community Gardens registration form here.
Growing Food, Growing Community
Whether one is gardening for the first-time or has extensive experience, Arbor Community Garden provides an encouraging and peaceful environment in which to tend to the business of cultivation. While all gardeners engage in this activity while tending to their individual plots, to the extent interested, there are also opportunities to support the larger goal at Arbor Good Neighbor House of cultivating community.
“Mornings in the Garden” have been one such way of fostering relationships among gardeners and members of the larger Arbor Good Neighbor House community, as well as with Mother Nature herself. Coffee and baked goods are served in the garden for those with the time and interest to stop by and enjoy one another’s company and the stillness provided by the garden and surrounding space. Monthly cookouts have proven another way to help facilitate these connections, and are geared more towards larger family interactions. And, of course, there is always time to talk and learn from fellow gardeners while picking weeds and harvesting produce.
Another way in which the garden contributes to community well-being is through the distribution of vegetables to those who make use of the Good Neighbor Personal Essentials Pantry. Over the years individual gardeners have donated food from their plots to pantry guests, but in 2025 it was decided to dedicate a section of the garden specifically to growing food for this purpose. Produce from the garden is also used in meal preparation for the children attending Creek Day School who have the added benefit of being able to use the garden as a learning opportunity.
Looking Ahead
As Arbor Community Garden embarks on its 35th year, identifying ways to enhance both social connections and connections to place are priorities every bit as important as helping with the development of successful gardens. We at the garden are open to ideas of what that might look like and encourage others to become involved in whatever way works for them; maybe that’s helping build pollinator beds or maybe it’s working on establishing a small farmer’s market. Together we can create a place that supports and nurtures everyone – this is what community building looks like.
For more information about the Arbor Community Garden, or to receive a gardening application, contact Ron Heinrich at [email protected] or by calling 608-515-3288.