CASTINGS is a group dedicated to empowering local youth and community members to make neighborhoods better, especially through agriculture. The mission is front and center Saturday, April 21 when CASTINGS – Communities Actively Strengthening Tacoma In Neighborhood Gardens and Schools – gathers several community groups to do some gardening good - beautifying the gardens at McCarver Elementary, as part of Parks Appreciation Day.
Grabbing a shovel or 20 this weekend will be the Young Professionals Network – a Tacoma-based group for professionals of all sorts who are younger than 40.
"The programs are both interested in the welfare of our neighborhood and local parks," says Julia Martin-Lombardi, executive director of CASTINGS. "Young Professionals have helped in the past on our park projects and are wonderful partners on any projects. We feel very lucky to have such local nonprofits always willing to lend a hand."
Other groups involved in Saturday's event include McCarver families and staff, families involved in the Tacoma Housing Authority, Peace Makers, and Bamford Community Garden.
"We will welcome anyone that would like to attend especially if they have gloves, and shovel or wheelbarrow. Not mandatory but a real plus. Also a great work attitude is really helpful," says Martin-Lombardi.
McCarver Elementary is located in Tacoma's Hilltop at 2111 S. J St. McCarver's gardens are an important addition to not only the school, but the surrounding neighborhood. Once the garden is complete, community members will be able to secure a plot, as well as the wider public. Dues are $20.
Past garden sessions have brought in raspberries, cherry trees, and a rock path. Staurday's outing will bring bark, to be spread on many of the surfaces around trees and shrubs. Still to come at a later date is a garden shed and compost bin.
The public is welcome. It's free to participate.
LINK: CASTINGS Tacoma Blog
LINK: CASTINGS Tacoma Facebook
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