Island Lake launches community garden

Joining a growing suburban trend, Island Lake officials have launched a community garden.

Dubbed Victory Garden as a reference to the citizen-tended gardens cultivated during World War II, the space is at Veterans Park, on Route 176 near Lakeview Drive.

It officially opened on Memorial Day weekend, but spaces are still available.

The project is being funded by volunteers, Island Lake Trustee Connie Mascillino said. It’s great for people who want to garden but who don’t have the space at their homes, she said.

“And it’s a chance ... for people to work on their gardens together and meet new people,” Mascillino said.

Each plot is 5 by 16 feet. Paths between the plots allow for wheelbarrows and other equipment and supplies.

Three raised planters are available for people unable to garden at ground level.

Volunteers prepared 15 plots for this season, said Pam Wirtz, the garden manager. Of those, only three have been planted.

Gardeners pay a $25 fee to help cover expenses. After a fall cleanup, $10 of that fee will be refunded to each gardener.

The gardens should be tended until Sept. 15. Gardeners will lose their plots if weeds are not removed.

Organizers are encouraging organic gardening methods. Chemical fertilizers, insecticides and weed repellents are discouraged.

Gardeners must bring their own water to the plots.

No pets are allowed, nor are alcoholic beverages or tobacco products.

Compost bins have been placed at the garden for dead plants and weeds.

Batavia, Des Plaines, Naperville Schaumburg and Wheeling are among the suburbs that have organized community gardens. Itasca and other towns have garden clubs that grow produce at communal plots and donate the goods to local food pantries.

Applications for Island Lake’s garden are available at village hall. They also were included in a recent village newsletter.

Trustee Chuck Cermak expects it may take two or three seasons for the garden project to catch on with residents. Regardless, it’s a good way to bring people with similar interests together, he said.

For more information, call Wirtz at (630) 975-1007.