"The garden, which runs along B Street, was planted by volunteers during the park?s expansion in the early 1990s. The most prominent feature is a rose garden just north of Third & B, the Davis teen center. Herbs, drought-"

"Visitors may have noticed weeds and roses in need of pruning. But Emily Griswold sees potential."

"revitalize the garden, which covers 19,200 square feet or almost half an acre. It?s just steps from the Davis Farmers? Market, which brings an estimated 10,000 people to the award-winning park every week."

"?It?s just sad to have these degraded gardens in this vibrant park with all these plant scientists in Davis,? said Griswold, who decided to organize the garden renovation because if she didn?t, maybe nobody else would."

"With her leadership, volunteers from the Yolo County Master Gardener program and the Davis Farm to School Connection are working to create beautiful and educational demonstration gardens. Interpretive signs and labels would help identify plants while workshops would make the space interactive."

"The Master Gardeners, volunteers trained by the University of California Cooperative Extension, provide research-based advice to home gardeners. The group already has a booth at the Farmers? Market. A demonstration garden in the same park could help with their education outreach efforts."

"A vegetable garden, planned at the north end, would be used for workshops and school field trips organized by the Davis Farm to School Connection, part of the Davis Farmers? Market Foundation. The group helps children understand where their food comes from and advocates for improved nutrition, salad bars and gardens in the schools."

"Volunteers have held work days twice a month since summer, mulching, weeding and pruning. Sandy Dietrich, community projects specialist in the city?s Parks and Community Services Department, said the garden looks better than it has in years and the group has an impressive plan for more improvements."

"Randii MacNear, manager of the Davis Farmers? Market, is happy to see the space get spruced up."

"?I?m just very pleased that this is going to be happening. It?s a huge area that pretty much goes unused and unnoticed,? said MacNear, who?s involved with Davis Farm to School Connection."

"A vibrant garden, she said, would be mutually beneficial. She envisions lots of cooperation between the Farmers? Market and groups at the garden. There could be nutrition information sessions, cooking demonstrations using vegetables grown in the garden, talks by local farmers and more."

"The volunteers surveyed park users in July to learn what kind of garden would be most popular. Based on the survey, the group has selected themes for each area and a planting plan is in development."

"So, one part of the garden would be dedicated to flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. California native plants ? the second favorite in the survey ? also would have a place in the garden."

"The group plans to first work on the garden currently dedicated to roses. Some of the roses would stay, but the area would be transformed into a flower garden. Griswold envisions a ?very profuse and flowering area? with perennials, shrubs and roses ? an attractive space buzzing with hummingbirds and butterflies ? that would draw people into the garden."

"She is applying for grant funding and working with a local Boy Scout
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