History

The Rotary Community Garden began as a simple idea to plant vegetables in a vacant lot, frequented by the homeless, to beautify the property and feed the hungry. Gastonia-based dentist Dr. Will Current, then the president of the Rotary Club of Gastonia, proposed the idea of building the garden as a club project. But costs quickly escalated when the City of Gastonia advised it would require––amongst other things––a brick-supported fence. Before investing the funds to begin building, club members knew a long-term commitment was needed from David Royster, the property-owner. After many conversations with Current, Royster generously donated the property to the Rotary Club. And when the garden received its own independent charity status in 2014, the property was transferred, and the garden got set to grow.

The garden has 26 raised beds for produce and an additional two for sunflowers and other colorful plants. These are tended by renters and individual volunteers, civic organizations, churches and clubs. Each spring, renters and volunteers make sure the gardens are cleared of weeds; the soil is replenished; and that seeds are put in the ground for summer harvest. The garden grows nearly year-round, with just two months off in the winter months to let the soil rest.