ELYRIA, Ohio (WOIO) - City workers cut down a community garden on Louisiana Avenue on Wednesday, even though some neighbors were still caring for it.
Brian Wesner and Nicole Burton found out about the removal yesterday as it was happening. “Just really angry,” Wesner said, “because I put my own time and energy into something.”
Both residents explain the garden used to be maintained by another neighbor, but struggled to be properly cared for and tended to. Both Wesner and Burton decided last spring to take on the responsibility themselves.
“The older ladies down the street tried to maintain it,” Burton said, “but the grass became too high. Last year is when they stopped coming down.”
According to a Facebook post made by Burton, she spent around $500 in supplies and materials for the garden. Wesner claims he’s invested around $1,500.
“I actually have a list of other plants that I was planning on ordering to put in that garden,” Wesner said.
The garden included fruits like tomatoes, blueberries and watermelons. Burton explained she planted watermelons at the request of her 5-year-old son, and still recalls the moment he found out the garden was gone.
“‘What happened to my watermelon, mommy?’ I said, ‘sorry, son, the city took it,’" she explained.
19 News reached out to city leaders regarding the demolition. Staff from the office of safety services explained they inspected the site of the garden and believed it did not look like someone was maintaining it.
They also said they received no calls or messages from anyone saying they were maintaining the garden; Wesner is pushing back against this claim.
“We’ve called the mayor’s office before," he said. “I also wanted to know if I could replace those old wooden boxes that they were letting deteriorate.”
As of now, city leaders say they’re open to a discussion about the future of the site—Wesner and Burton have a suggestion.
“I’m thinking about possibly buying it so that I can put another garden there," Burton said.
“If they keep taking away everything and anything that makes the community the community, then what’s the community any more than just a bunch of people that live next to each other?” Wesner asked.
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