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Ravenna student planning to plant community garden

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By Colin McEwen

Record-Courier staff writer

The seeds of community activism were sown at a recent Ravenna City Council meeting by a Ravenna High School student.

Alyssa Mauser, who also is president of the Ravenna Youth Council, is planning to turn some of the vacant land around the Chestnut Hills Playground on North Chestnut Street into the Ravenna Community Garden.

With time for several plants to thrive before the first fall frost, Mauser hopes to fill some of that land with pumpkins, squash and mums.

Mauser recently teamed up with Ravenna Parks and Recreation to lease 20-by-20 foot plots for those interested in having a garden -- away from home.

She said the plots would be ideal for those with a green thumb, but also for those who rent and have no place to garden.

"Ravenna has a high rental rate," she said. "And I thought providing a community garden was a great idea. It's going to start small, but I think it's going to grow into something large."

At first a project for her Gold award for the Girls Scouts, Mauser decided the project would be a promising one to continue with the Ravenna Youth Council next year.

"I was trying to think of something to bring the community together," she said. "Ravenna has been doing a lot of things to bring the community together. This is my way to give back."

She said it's not too late in the planting season for city residents to get some plants in the ground and get their garden started.

The garden plots are $20 for adults seeking a 20-by-20 plot, or $15 for those over 60. Children under 14 also can get involved, with a 10-by-10 plot for $10.

The plots must be maintained, or else be forfeited, no growing illegal or poisonous plants and the plots must be cleaned out at the end of the season.

Council agreed one of the positives attributes about the community garden is that it could easily be moved should there be any future changes to the layout of the North Chestnut Street Park.

Councilman Scott Rainone, who is the advisor for the Ravenna Youth Council, said he supports Mauser's choice for a community project.

"I think it's always refreshing when any citizen comes forward to make the community better," he said. "But it's even better that she's a high school student. I think she's a great young citizen."

For more information or to register, those interested are encouraged to call 330-296-2864. Registration deadline is July 18, with gardens prepared and ready to plant by July 25.