The Grow and Play Lot is a little different than the other community gardens. The garden was established in 2008 to reach out and connect youth and seniors in the community. At Grow and Play Lot children run around, while elders (grandparents and parents) can garden and sit at the picnic tables reading. People come to this unique garden from many different neighborhoods in the community. Some come to garden, learn, or to socialize with their neighbors.

The main sector of the garden focuses on community harvesting. There are no individual plots in the garden. “Everyone that plants knows that they are sharing their harvest with the community. This is truly a community gathering place,” says local gardener Donna Handel. The food that is harvested goes to families in the community. Their motto is, “If you work it - you take it”. With that said, over fifty families receive food that is grown by the hard work of many.

Grow & Play community green space has become a place for children to play and learn. For example, one of the events held at Grow & Play is Learning in the Garden. Kids work on reading, writing, and spelling with volunteers. In addition, they take second-hand store field trips to find books to read and take home to share with their siblings.

Events at Grow & Play have successfully increased community involvement, including a harvest celebration, planting days, and an annual Halloween party. This space is a place where people want to go. “On our work days and our harvest celebration, 20-30 people showed up; I just have to say the word ‘garden’ and people are here!” says Handel. This feeling has also spread throughout the community. People are getting to know their neighbors better. Just walking down the street, you see people sitting and visiting on their front porches. A real sense of community exists as a result of this garden.