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Mashpee Environmental Coalition; Enterprise Article August 30, 2017 <br /> hives, a shed, fruit trees, and picnic tables. The Brewster Community Garden has its own Facebook <br /> page. Mashpee could emulate these towns and create an Eden for the gardeners and the passers-by to <br /> enjoy. <br /> At the October town meeting Mashpee citizens will have the opportunity to decide the fate of the <br /> Mashpee Community Gardens: <br /> Option 1: Revitalize the community gardens and keep the Pollinator Gardens right where they are. To <br /> do so, it would be necessary to understand why the Mashpee Community Gardens were shut down, and <br /> how the successful community gardens in other Cape Cod Towns are run. If this option was selected the <br /> historic district would not be compromised and the community garden could be revitalized and live on. <br /> The eight pickleball courts could be built in another location that is being considered on Ashumet Road <br /> adjacent to the Mashpee Dog Park. <br /> Option 2: The community garden is paved over and becomes pickleball courts, possibly with some <br /> garden plots on the side somewhere. At least one of the Pollinator Gardens the town constructed as <br /> demonstration projects would also be destroyed. This option seems like a poor compromise. How <br /> many garden plots would there be? We fear not enough to make a community. Eight pickleball courts <br /> and community gardens in the same location do not go well together and certainly do not reflect the <br /> historic nature of this site. This token community garden, if even built, would be even harder to <br /> maintain. <br /> Many people have hopes for a community garden and a pickleball court. Both are great additions to life <br /> in Mashpee. Why should it be one or the other? Both are necessary for the wellbeing of Mashpee <br /> citizens. That is why Option 1 is the right choice. If you would like to help with revitalization of our <br /> community garden—or even to get a plot next year—please contact the Mashpee Environmental <br /> Coalition, care of Virginia Scharfenberg, at Virginia.sTalbotEcoLandCare.com. Or call her at 508-539- <br /> 1912. <br /> Michael Talbot is president of the Mashpee Environmental Coalition and chairman of the Environmental <br /> Oversight Committee. Barbara Adner is a member of the MEC board, which meets at the Mashpee <br /> Public Library the second Thursday of each month at 4 PM. The public is welcome. For questions about <br /> MEC and town environmental issues, contact Virginia.sTalbotEcoLandCare.com. <br /> Page 2 <br />