Teich Garden System at Westchester Community College Officially Opens

Online, May 10, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Teich Garden Systems LLC announced the opening of the 60' x 40' garden system at the Valhalla campus of Westchester Community College, part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system.

At a ceremony on May 4th, the garden was officially named the Shirley A. Phillips/Lucille Werlinich Gateway Community Garden. Shirley A. Phillips recently retired after a 22-year career at the college, where she was Vice President of External Affairs and Executive Director of the Westchester Community College Foundation. Shirley's vision guided many successful projects on campus, including this garden. Lucille Werlinich is a member of the Westchester Community College Foundation Board of Directors. Her family's long history with the institution includes support of student scholarships, faculty development, and the Native Plant Center. Ms. Werlinich is also on the Board of Directors of the Purchase College Foundation and the Food Bank of Westchester.

Ms. Phillips and Ms. Werlinich spoke at the opening, as did Talbert Spence, Assistant Dean Continuing Education Division, who was a driving force behind the garden and Dr. Joseph Hankin, President of the College.

As part of the ceremony, children planted an assortment of herbs and vegetables including spinach, bok choy, cilantro, and oregano.

The garden, which has 24 planting beds, is expected to be used by several different groups at the college including the preschool based at Westchester Community College, cooking classes, garden clubs and community service organizations. The garden also has paved areas which make it accessible to gardeners in wheelchairs, strollers and those using walkers.

Mark Teich, Founder and CEO of Teich Garden Systems added "We are thrilled to have been invited to the opening and see the first planting. The garden at Westchester Community College will provide a center of learning, activity and service for a wide range of ages from the very youngest to the oldest in the college community."