Growing As A Community

We told you a little while back about a fine group of folks looking 

to make a positive difference in downtown New Kensington. 

Yeah, we did. 

Look it up. 

So anyways, we got an update email the other day, and it turns out 

this past Saturday was planting day on Fifth ave. 

Here is the Press release and a few really great pictures. 

We want you to not only enjoy the pictures and release, but let in the 

idea of people really making a difference around here. 

We couldn't be more proud that we were part of this movement. 

... 

 “The City of New Kensington, Westmoreland County Community College – New Kensington, local business owners  and community leaders  will be planting flowers and vegetables over the weekend on the initial phase of the New Kensington Community Garden. This cooperative project involves manually moving 20+ tons of topsoil into raised beds that will be utilized to raise heirloom vegetables in an urban environment. The vegetables grown and harvested from this educational/ revitalization project will be donated to local food banks. The garden is located on the 800 block of 5th Avenue in Downtown New Kensington on property owned by the City of New Kensington and the Redevelopment Authority of New Kensington.



All materials for this project were graciously donated by local businesses.



Topsoil (20 tons)– Steve Kubrick, Local Developer in New Kensington

Topsoil (3 tons) – Melwood Stone and Supply

Topsoil (3 tons) – Joseph Saeler, JoePaCo Enterprises

Flowers – Xuri Zhang, WCCC Horticulture Department

Vegetables – Dave Vargo, Owner of Arnold Feed & Kiski Feed and Garden Center

Mulch & Water Buffalo – City of New Kensington

Sign – WCCC Public Relations Department



Professional technical assistance is being volunteered by Penn State Master Gardener and WCCC Faculty member David Wohleber.



This project was conceptualized by Lindsay Woge and Joseph Morrison, owners of Fresh Heirlooms of 5th Avenue in New Kensington and initiated by Patrick Coulson, Coordinator of WCCC New Kensington.



Mayor Tom Guzzo, City of New Kensington, and Kim McAfoose, Executive Director of the Redevelopment Authority  of New Kensington, have been instrumental in providing the leadership to successfully champion the project for the city.”