POULSBO — It’s a warm, sunny Monday and about 60 youngsters are industriously loading mulch into child-sized wheelbarrows, watering with pint-sized watering cans, and enthusiastically turning old shoes and boots into planters at the Youth Garden in Raab Park, 18349 Caldart Ave. NE, Poulsbo.
You can watch both plants and children grow in the Youth Garden, which is perched on top of a hill with a spectacular view of Liberty Bay.
“Over the years, the same children come back, so you see them from the time they are little until the come back to help [as volunteers when they are in high school,” Mary Carter said. Carter is a member of the Poulsbo Garden Club who has been volunteering to work at the Youth Garden project since 2001. “I’m the person who smiles and signs people in,” she said, smiling.
Every Monday from 10 a.m. to noon, seven months a year, children ages 2 to 12 — the average age is 4 to 5 — come back to take part in the children’s program managed by Washington State University Extension Master Gardeners.
“The children wake up the garden in April and put it to bed in October,” WSU Master Garner Jill Ray said. Ray, along with other members of the leadership team — WSU Master Gardeners Cheryl Bosley and Betsy Kurzawski — have been in charge of the children’s program “since about when Raab Park opened.”
The Youth Garden was begun in 1997 through the combined efforts of the City of Poulsbo, individual Master Gardeners and service organizations with funding from grant sources. The continued improvement of the garden and success of the Children’s Program is supported by the work of WSU Master Gardeners and community involvement, according to Poulsbo Parks and Recreation officials.
This includes support from Poulsbo Parks and Recreation, WSU Kitsap County Extension Office, the Master Gardener Foundation of Kitsap County, Master Gardeners of Kitsap County, Poulsbo Garden Club, Suquamish Tribe, Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club, Home Depot and Valley Nursery Club.
Past Eagle Scout projects have included building tables, raised gardens and a shed for the Youth Garden, and in the spring and fall, sixth and seventh graders from West Sound Academy volunteer their time, too, according to Ray.
Bosley added, “We get a lot of good community support.”
The purpose of the garden is to involve children, families and the public in learning about sustainable gardening. In addition to crafts, learning and fun, the food harvested by the children goes to Fishline Food Bank in Poulsbo,” said Mary McCluskey, Poulsbo Parks and Recreation director.
In 2016, a total of 517 children and 295 adults helped plant, water, weed and harvest more than 873 pounds of produce, which was donated to Fishline — in addition to growing beautiful flowers for all to enjoy.
If a family wishes to participate, one or more adults must accompany each group of children and a $1 donation per child is requested. For more information, call Poulsbo Parks and Recreation, 360-779-9898.
— Terryl Asla is a reporter for Kitsap News Group. He can be reached at tasla@soundpublishing.com.
The Raab Park Youth Garden is staffed by volunteers and led by WSU Master Gardeners (from left to right) Jill Ray, Betsy Kurzawski and Cheryl Bosley. Terryl Asla/Kitsap News Group
The Raab Park Youth Garden is staffed by volunteers and led by WSU Master Gardeners (from left to right) Jill Ray, Betsy Kurzawski and Cheryl Bosley. Terryl Asla/Kitsap News Group
Tamiko Metzger-Ortega, age six, waters the plants she and eight-years old Dakota Ortega planted in a pair of size 14 athletic shoes. Terryl Asla/Kitsap News Group
Youngsters load mulch to spread on the Raab Park Youth Garden. The program, which meets wekkly on Monday, is open to children ages two to 12 years. Often, when the young people get into high school, they will return to serve as volunteers and mentors, officials said. Terryl Asla/Kitsap News Group
Abi Ferguson, age 11, climbs up onto the bench to be with Jacqui Conger, age 8, as they admire the panoramic view of Liberty Bay from the overlook at Raab Park. Terryl Asla/Kitsap News Group
