Gwinnett Daily Post

SNELLVILLE -- Before the winter thaws, Snellville leaders hope to have a plan for a community garden in the spring.

Leaders Kurt and Gretchen Schulz are seeking input in a few public forums next week.

"Community gardens take on many different looks and include many different features," said Gretchen Schulz, who chairs the garden committee. "We want our garden to reflect what our community wants to see included in their garden."

Those interested in planting ideas can come to one of the brainstorming sessions, scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday and 1 p.m. Saturday at Snellville City Hall.

The community garden -- the third in Gwinnett -- is planned at the intersection of Marigold Road and Sawyer Parkway in Briscoe Park, across the street from the Snellville Recycling Center.

A volunteer committee hopes to open the first phase this spring.

In addition to ideas, the committee is looking for sponsors who could loan construction equipment or contribute building and landscaping materials. The needs include fencing for the garden and crushed rock for walkways, gardening tools and vegetable and flower seedlings.

As part of the project, a press release said, the committee also hopes to construct a playground using recycled materials for gardeners' children and eventually construct a greenhouse in the garden area.