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Garden plan bears fruit
BOARDMAN
More than a year ago, Ken Neese made a promise that he would turn a vacant lot on Erksine Avenue into an urban garden.
Neese, together with his wife, Kelly Sue Johnson-Neese, kept his word, and in the process helped feed the needy.
In February 2010, the couple purchased a vacant home at 319 Erskine Ave. across from their residence. It would have cost $60,000 to renovate the house, so instead, they leveled it.
After hearing about his work, the Boardman Township trustees issued a proclamation honoring Ken, and last spring, Boardman Glenwood Middle School fifth-grader Sophia Schiler chose Ken as her “community hero.”
Schiler “inspired me to go further and help the community. I’d deem her as a heroine, too, because she made me want to do more,” Ken said.
The couple researched urban gardens in the area. They decided that, like the demolition cost, they would pay out-of-pocket for the equipment and seeds needed to start a garden.
The township road department donated fill dirt for the plot, and the Youngstown Water Department issued a permit and gave the Neeses an adapter for the water hydrant to more easily water plants.
Ken said that just the two of them tend to the garden because the insurance cost to have others work on individual plots was prohibitive.
This summer, the garden is bursting with plants: radishes, pumpkins, tomatoes, potatoes and several varieties of corn.
Ken and Kelly donated most of their corn to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which feeds about 200 people daily. Ken said he sat with those who ate a meal that included his corn.
“To see them eating what you had harvested, it was really neat,” Ken said. “What they’re doing [at St. Vincent de Paul] is truly a godsend. I’ve seen it firsthand.”
Kelly said that they encourage all gardeners who have a surplus to donate the food.
They also distributed corn and vegetables to families on their street and said the garden’s become a focal point of the neighborhood.
“The little kids always ask when we’re picking the food and delivering it,” Kelly said.
Another popular feature of the garden is the arrangement of pink flowers planted in the shape of a cancer awareness ribbon.
“My mom had several types of cancer, and she’s a survivor,” Kelly said. “This is to inspire her and all those with cancer.”
Kelly’s mom, Gail Johnson, sees the garden every day as she lives only a few houses away from the Neeses on Erskine Avenue.
“We just want to keep the neighborhood and community pretty, and help the needy. We want to continue this,” Ken said.