By Christine Nelson | Observer Contributor
Current parking lot construction will bring improvements to campus parking lots, yet requires the removal of the community garden.
All parking areas will be repaved. Parking in front of the Fitness Center will expand to accommodate more parking spaces—an additional 24 regular spaces and 11 accessible spaces. The community garden near the Fitness Center will be removed to allow for this expansion. A catch basin system will be installed to improve drainage. Parking lots B, C, and D remain the same size, yet will gain over 100 additional spaces as lines are redrawn for more modern cars. (Current lines are based on 1970 car sizes.) There will also be new lighting.
Robert LaBonte, Vice President, Finance and Administration, said “With the changes we have seen here on campus, such as the Student Center, parking improvements are part of an evolution into a new place. It’s exciting.”
Parking lot construction costs will be about 5.4 million dollars, which will be funded by the state, with former Governor Deval Patrick ‘s Bond Bill. LaBonte said “These changes are long overdue. They are not something the college can do on its own. I am really happy.”
Six years ago, a small group of Natural Resource students started, then oversaw, the organic community garden. Plots of 20×15 feet were rented to the general public as a chance to grow their own vegetables, flowers and herbs. The cost was $20 per plot, per season. Community participation was considered active, with some people renting two plots in a season. The college’s website, MWCC.edu, advertises the organic community garden as an example of sustainability on campus.
Tom Montagno, Dept. Chair of Natural Resources/Professor of Biology, said that the local community was happy to have a place to garden and admits that it is too bad the school is losing the garden. “We are considering other locations on campus,” Montagno said. He added that replacing the garden may take time. LaBonte indicated that he would be open to the possibility of relocating the garden if there was enough interest.
When asked, students may not know about the community garden or its location. Despite this, there is interest in keeping the garden.
“I definitely think that we should find another location for the garden. I think it is nice to have,” said student Maurisa Weld. Sierra DeWalt, President of the Green Society, added “The community garden is a great place to get together and share appreciation for the environment.” Padraic Ferriter, student, also said, “The garden is a pivotal part of the community. It should be showcased in front of the buildings, indicating MWCC’s commitment to the environment.”
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