Garden grows with inmate aid
by Lenny Roberts

Last week, Todd Road Jail inmates assigned to work duty at the Ojai Police Station spread mulch donated by Oscar's Tree Service at the Ojai Community Demonstration Garden.
The garden, adjacent to City Hall on South Ventura Street, was established 19 years ago with Environmental Protection Agency grant funding issued to both the city of Ojai and county of Ventura. The purpose of the garden is to educate the public on how to decrease tonnage sent to local landfills while using the recycled material created in backyard compost systems.
According to environmentalist Sasha Wolfe, most area nurseries have supplied water-saving, native plants for the garden, which features a highly efficient drip irrigation system and drought-resistant ground covers in lieu of typical water-hungry lawns. No petrochemicals are used at the demonstation garden, which is open to the public every day from dawn to dusk and supervised by Ojai Public Works Director Stan Hakes.
The program also helps the inmates get fresh air and perspective. Johnny Young, of Oak View, said, "It makes you feel like you're putting back into the community instead of taking out."
The Ojai Community Demonstration Garden is a volunteer project of the city of Ojai, and invites anyone with an interest in gardening, and some time to commit, to participate. Interested parties may call the Ojai City Hall at 646-5581 to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
There is no cost to visitors and all workshops are free. A self-interpretive tour is always available through signage, brochures and handouts. A docent is available through advanced reservation for private group tours for a nominal fee. A volunteer handbook and educational printed material are available at the garden bulletin board in the parking area. The garden and City Hall grounds are available for rent for private group events. Call the Ojai Public Works Department at 640-2560 or e-mail publicworks @ci.ojai.ca.us for information, fees and insurance requirements.

© 2002 The Ojai Valley News

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