2026 10th Anniversary Projects, Programs, and Events

The garden is organized into two groups. “Gardeners with Beds” plant in beds inside the fence in which they grow edibles, work together to maintain the interior of the garden, and serve on committees that oversee the garden projects and programs. Members of the “Friends of the Garden” group volunteer time maintaining shared spaces, serving on program and project committees and attending events.

In 2025, Green Scapes, a local landscaping company, installed stone dust pathways  around the garden area and created an accessible raised bed space within the fence. This project made the garden accessible to gardeners/neighbors with limited mobility.  Funding came from the City of Syracuse, ENA, and TNT. A Syracuse Parks Conservancy Greening Grant provided additional funds for the purchase of handicapped accessible beds and materials, e.g., signage.

2026 Ongoing Projects and Programs:

• The Permaculture Fruit Orchard continues to grow and expand. A CCE Master Gardener trained volunteer will be training others and caring for the fruit trees in the orchard, the 3-tiered strawberry planter, and the herb spiral. There is a strong partnership with Syracuse Parks providing guidance on tree care. The permaculture space is planted with veggies and herbs. When ripe, these edibles are available for picking and/or can be placed in the farm stand.

• The Demo Bed is a large bed behind the shed showing what can be done in small spaces by building add-ons and following companion planting guidelines. All produce from this bed is placed in the farm stand for neighbors to take. A U-Pick plan is being designed.

• Edible Row is a row of edibles, mostly fruits, that line the north side of the garden fence. Anyone in the neighborhood can help themselves to these treats.

• A group of Advocate Gardeners are expanding the spaces for native perennials and annuals for the Cut Flower Project. They create flower arrangements to place in the farm stand for the taking and to deliver to neighbors going through rough times.

• The Little Free Library at the garden is part of a nationally recognized nonprofit organization whose mission it is to be a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers and expanding book access. The Garden LFL is filled with books about gardening and preparation of healthy food recipes using produce grown in the garden The LFL steward monitors the book selection. We welcome any book contributions.

• “Tuesdays in the Garden” is a program containing a variety of educational pieces. During the winter/early spring months, educational sessions on topics of interest to Eastwood gardeners are held at Paine Library. Throughout the growing season, garden leaders are available at the garden on Tuesdays to answer questions and address gardener needs. This year a plan that includes garden yoga instruction will be happening during this time.

Four (4) “Tuesdays in the Garden” workshops, Gardening 101, Culinary Herbs, Let It Rot!, Composting for Gardeners, and Growing Tomatoes in Small Spaces, will be held at Paine Library in April & May. These sessions are led by Master Gardener trained presenters.

• “Mindful Thursdays” is held the 1st & 3rd Thursday of each month starting @ 5:30. It is hosted by a member of the Friends of the Garden group. Those interested meet @ the benches to take part in companionable silence/journaling. An option to talk and then walk the neighborhood follows. Start date is to be determined.

• An Event Committee plans events held throughout the growing season. The committee is partnering with Paine Branch Library for many of those events that are for both adults and children. As events are finalized, they’ll be posted on our events calendar, on our Facebook page, and on the farm stand bulletin board at the garden.

The Eastwood Community Garden is more than just a physical space. It is a third place where Eastwood neighbors can visit alone or with friends; be sedentary on one of the benches or actively weed one of the shared growing spaces. Time at the garden brings joy and comfort to the soul when most needed.