Yvonne Richardson Community Center

A vegetable garden for the After School program and summer FUN4KIDS program was designed and developed by Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Horticulturists in Spring of 2009 and is located on YRCC property at 240 Rock St. Raised beds were developed with a mix of top soil, field sand and city compost in a 60’ x 35’ area. The garden program is run by the horticulturists and volunteers who meet for one hour every day at the garden site.  Volunteers assist with day-to-day maintenance, mentoring, educational activities, field trips, food preparation and cooking.

The garden programs provide hands-on learning by focusing on basic gardening skills, cooking, nutrition, sustainability and teamwork. They inspire appreciation of the natural world, self-reliance, self-esteem, healthy life-style choices and a sense of community.

Kids that participate in YRCC programs planted spring and summer seeds and plants, including okra, corn, watermelon, tomatoes, cucumbers, kale, sunflowers and various herbs.  Raspberries, blueberries and strawberries are planted in containers.
Volunteers built a garden shed from donated materials.  A rain collection system was designed to catch rain from the roof of the shed. 

To volunteer e-mail: square_gardens@ci.fayetteville  (underscore b/w square gardens)
To learn more about YRCC garden for kids programs e-mail erainy@ci.fayetteville.ar.us