The Creston community has always shown support and perseverance in the face of adversity, and the current pandemic is no exception. We’ve seen church groups step up to provide meals, local businesses innovate to keep employees working, and citizens rally to support small businesses while they navigate new rules and regulations. One concern with any economic downturn is how the most vulnerable will be affected, and thanks to some innovative thinking by the Iowa Environmental Council and a former Creston resident, one aspect of this concern is being addressed.
Food scarcity and hunger have been a concern for many communities, and local food banks and churches have seen high demand in Creston. In an effort to support these organizations, and in partnership with them, Angela Davis and IEC staff approached the City of Creston with interest in starting a community garden.
Through collaborative efforts over email and Zoom meetings, a road map to creating the garden and coordination of volunteers led to the Methodist Church greenspace, where a variety of individuals and groups gathered to build raised beds, move dirt and create a tool shed. Local businesses donated dirt, lumber, plants and tools to make the project feasible, and local banks helped support the project financially to get things up and running.
Along with providing produce, there are possible plans for gardening workshops for 4-H, Boy Scouts and church youth groups. The space is also suited for small social events, with a fire pit and open seating available nearby. And having this greenspace compliments what many consider to be Creston’s biggest draw: a community surrounded by beautiful natural amenities, connected by trails and accessible to all people.
The community garden is a perfect example of what this community can accomplish when people pull together and support a common cause. With each small project completed, we see once again why Creston is such a great place to live, work and raise a family.
