Parramore Community Garden Receives Top Award

Online, April 29, 2011 (Newswire.com) - The Parramore Community Garden, in partnership with Get Active Orlando (GAO), was chosen as the 2011 Community Garden of the Year by Keep Orlando Beautiful. Gardens were judged on clean pathways, gardener participation and aesthetic touches. The Parramore Community Garden received a garden sign and a gift certificate to Palmer Feed Store.

The Parramore Garden was the first foray into community gardens by GAO in 2007. GAO has now facilitated the opening of six such gardens citywide as an avenue to combat obesity and the chronic diseases associated with unhealthy diets. The gardening projects also act as a form of physical activity.

In addition to GAO, the garden's success also relies on the support of the Orlando Police Department, City of Orlando - Neighborhood Services, Leu Gardens, Orange County Health Department, University of Florida Extension Office, and Walt Disney World.

Parramore Garden President Lynn Nicholson says children assist their parents in tending their garden, and the children admit they are now eating and enjoying vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, pole beans, cabbage, and collard greens. Additionally, he says the garden has become a source of personal and community pride and a conduit for neighbors to get to know each other. The garden's tagline is "Pride Grows Here".

There are 19 plots at the Parramore garden, each measuring 8 by 14 feet. Gardeners pay an annual fee of $20 and are responsible for watering, maintaining, and harvesting their plots. Participants in the garden range from families, retirees, youth groups, and law students. Priority is given to residents of the Parramore community in downtown Orlando.

Now in its eighth year of operation, Get Active Orlando promotes physical activity and balanced nutrition through community gardens, cooking classes, fitness programs, and bicycle giveaways, and supports policies designed to create physical environments that encourage healthy activity.