Boy swings mallet
Eagle Scout T.J. Garven is shown here refurbishing Arch Park community garden.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was submitted by Erin Salva, Arch Park Community Garden coordinator.

MOUNT VERNON — The Arch Park Community Garden has a new look thanks to Eagle Scout T.J. Garven and a host of community partners. 

There will be a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 30 and a special recognition of T.J. Garven at the Arch Park Community Garden on Arch Avenue between 1 and 2 p.m.

  • Credit: Submitted photo

The City of Mount Vernon partnered this past spring with Knox Public Health, Creating Healthy Communities and the Local Food Council to expand the Arch Park Community Garden. 

Arch Park is the first city community garden which started in 2014 as part of the Knox County Community garden initiative.

The expanded garden area opened in May and includes a children’s garden and a fully accessible raised bed garden area.

The community partners who have supported and worked on the garden expansion include the Knox County Career Center, Landscaping and Design Management class, the Learning Center students, the Mount Vernon Department of Public Works, the Knox County OSU Extension Office, the Knox County Board of Developmental Disabilities, the Merit Court and Riverside Recovery Services and the First Congregational UCC church. 

Garven helped design the expanded garden space, installed accessible garden pavers, raised garden beds as part of his Eagle Scout project. 

The Arch Park garden expansion would not have been possible without the expertise and guidance of T.J. and his grandfather, Richard Garven.

For more information about the garden you can visit us at https://www.archparkohio.com/.