BOURBONNAIS, IL – The Village of Bourbonnais is proud to announce the opening of its first community garden, located at Jordan Park on 59 Jordan Drive.
The garden consists of 12 raised planter boxes and offers residents of all ages the opportunity to grow their own fresh produce while fostering a sense of community.
To celebrate the opening, two open house events will be held on April 24, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and May 3, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Municipal Center’s Community Room, located at 700 Main Street NW. Master Gardener and Master Naturalist Program Coordinator for Kankakee County, Holly Froning, will provide gardening tips and tricks.
The community garden is expected to promote healthy living, improve access to fresh food, and increase social connections within the community. This initiative aligns with the research from North Carolina State University, indicating the numerous health benefits of community gardens, including improved nutrition, increased physical activity, and improved mental health.
The success of the pilot program has the Village of Bourbonnais considering expanding the initiative to other parks. Tyler Goodrich, the Community Development Technician, believes that the community garden will create a healthy living environment and build meaningful social connections within the community.
The community garden is set to be fully operational by June 1 for rentals and planting.
