Gwinnett Daily Post

SNELLVILLE -- The new trend of community gardens is making its way to southern Gwinnett.

Snellville residents Kurt and Gretchen Shulz are planning a community garden for the city, likely in Briscoe Park.

While the Schulzes are working to organize volunteers, the plan is to create raised beds that will be planted by individuals or small groups, such as neighbors, friends or students.

Community gardens have become popular in the suburbs. The city of Suwanee has a plot, as does Gwinnett County at the F. Wayne Hill Water Resources Center.

The vegetable garden, organizers hope, will not only provide nutritious food but an outlet for recreation, exercise and education.

"We also hope the garden will be a catalyst for building community pride as well as enriching family ties and friendships," Gretchen Schulz said.

According to the current plans, plots will be available for rental on an annual basis. There will be a plot rental fee to cover expenses for garden maintenance. Garden organizers are hoping to secure business sponsors within the community to help with garden construction, including site preparation and building materials for the raised beds, a press release said.

"I can't wait to see what our talented group of volunteers is going to create as Snellville's community garden," said Councilman Tom Witts, who plans to work with the group. "It will certainly be something that will make us proud, that I assure you."