Portland Press Herald

The following was in the Portland Press Herald today:

SOUTH PORTLAND — A group hoping to start a community garden at the former Hamlin School has made its pitch to the City Council.
The Community Garden Collective would like to lease space at the former school property on Ocean Street, by Sawyer Street, from the city. The plan is to have between 35 and 50 gardeners, depending on the size of the plots, said Helen Slocum, the group's vice president and acting coordinator.
The group outlined its proposal at a City Council workshop last night. The council requested additional information, particularly about parking at the site, which is now used by the city's Planning Department.
Slocum said her group wants to work with a couple of neighbors who expressed opposition to the project.
The collective focused on the former Hamlin School largely because of the sun and access to water on the site. The group had looked at other locations that City Manager James Gailey said could be available.
Slocum said the collective hopes to create additional community gardens elsewhere in the city after the first one is established.