In 2019, Schuylkill County’s VISION (VISION), in collaboration with Schuylkill Haven Borough and
partners like Hannah Burke, broke ground on a community garden. The garden, located at Bubeck Park,
consists of four raised beds, an accessible bed, several container plots and more. Plots are available to
community members at a nominal fee and some at no cost to senior citizens, first responders, and
veterans.
In 2021, the garden experienced a glow up with the addition of fencing. In an effort to keep costs low
and reduce waste VISION, Girl Scout Troop 03120, and volunteers refurbished chain link fence from
Schuylkill River Greenways to enclose the garden. In 2022, Jefferson Grange #1384 and volunteers
managed the community plots that benefit Schuylkill Haven food pantry, as well as, expanded reach by
donating harvest to additional pantries and projects. Additionally, in 2022 the Girl Scout Troop built the
first accessible raised bed in the garden.
To make it a true community garden with a sustainable impact on the borough VISION worked with
recreation department staff member, resident and gardener, David Noll, to assist with the management
of the garden and the now transition of ownership to the Borough. This transition is a prime example of
VISION’s mission to connect community resources to create change. The Borough had an idea, VISION
assisted with making the idea a reality and now turns over the community garden to its rightful owner,
the Borough of Schuylkill Haven.
Community gardens are an example of an environmental change approach to a public health concern:
Increasing access to and consumption of fruits and vegetables, while providing opportunities for
socialization, exercise, and getting outdoors. VISION partners with Lehigh Valley Healthy Network, one
of the garden funders, to provide programs and community assistance around consumption of healthy
foods and increased opportunities for physical activity. These projects range from assisting with
community garden creation to assessing the bike and walkability of communities to
attending/organizing walks or health fairs.
Additionally, Evans Network of Companies, a Schuylkill Haven business, was a pivotal financial partner
and supporter of the Schuylkill Haven Community Garden.
For more information on the Community Garden please contact the Schuylkill Haven Recreation
Department at havenrec@comcast.net or 570-385-1313.
Special thanks again to our key partners Lehigh Valley Health Network-Schuylkill, Evans Network of
Companies, Schuylkill Haven Borough, Hannah Burke, Girl Scouts Troop 03120, David Noll, and Jefferson
Grange #1384.
For further about VISION and Healthy Schuylkill Communities, please contact Mandy Fitzpatrick,
Schuylkill County’s VISION at 570-622-6097 or mfitzpatrick@schuylkillvision.com .