The 18th Ward Community Garden, located at 1040 Liggett Ave in Reading, has become a vibrant hub for urban gardening, thanks to the dedication of local community members. This project was highlighted in a recent live video interview between Tanya Melendez, the garden’s founder, and Kylie Paulson, a student in Dr. Radosh’s broadcasting class at Alvernia University. The conversation shed light on how the garden has transformed a once-unused plot of land into a thriving space that provides fresh produce, engagement, and education to the neighborhood.
Tanya Melendez, who spearheaded the project, shared insights into the garden’s development. The garden, which now includes 38 plots and additional garden beds, was developed over four years on land belonging to the Reading Housing Authority. “We took a piece of land and turned it into a massive community garden,” said Melendez, explaining how the idea grew out of a need for more accessible gardening space in the area.
Melendez’s love for gardening deepened during the pandemic. Although she always had a passion for indoor plants, growing food became more significant during that period. She had previously worked with the Victory Task Force for Berks County to distribute small gardens in the Oakbrook neighborhood, which highlighted a community desire for greater access to land for gardening. That need became the catalyst for the community garden’s creation.
The project has been labor-intensive, requiring not just gardeners but also volunteers and paid workers to maintain the momentum. “It was more work than you could ever imagine,” she noted, emphasizing that the effort goes beyond simply planting seeds—it’s a continuous push to involve and engage the community…