Big Dig Planting Make a Difference Day

The Big Dig is part of Make A Difference Day, a nationwide effort of volunteerism that engages all communities to plan and execute a one-day project that will impact their neighborhood, their community, their city. The Jersey City Parks Coalition (RNA is a member)  is going to plant in park entries, open spaces and gateways throughout the city a minimum of 17,000 spring flowering bulbs with the help of hundreds of community volunteers. The result ˆ a city wide floral display marking the end of winter and encouraging continued community involvement with the Greening of Jersey. For more information visit www.jcparks.org. For locations other than Riverview-Fisk or Janet Moore please contact:  Laura 201-259-1800/ c21plazaskolar@aol.com or Charlene 201-344-2060/ charlene.burke@comcast.net or diane.brown.52@gmail.com. A volunteer appreciation luncheon hosted by Liberty Science Center will follow the planting.
Community Garden Tour & Awards - This Sunday

The Riverview Farmers Market (Sunday - 9AM- 3PM ) will play host to the Community Garden Tour this Sunday, October 23rd.  The bus tour will originate and end in Riverview-Fisk Park or you can bike it with Bike JC.  The tour will start at 11AM and return around 1:30PM and visit Riverview Community Garden, Sgt. Anthony Community Garde, John De Salvo Community Garden, Brunswick Community Garden, City Hall Children's Garden and Storms Avenue Community Garden.  The bus is free but you need to reserve your spot by calling 201-547-4513 or email: freirei@jcnj.org. 

Jersey City Backyard/Front Yard (and Rooftop) Garden Competition

Residents are encouraged to nominate their own or a neighbor's garden, window box, or front/back/side yard for the first-ever contest, which will be facilitated by both the Planning Division and the Jersey City Independent. Only gardens planted by amateur gardeners are eligible - no professionally contracted work is allowed.

The judges, including our City Seedling blogger Emily Helck, will use photos and short essays written by gardeners, as well as site visits, to determine the winners in a number of categories. Those winners will be announced at a Garden Awards Ceremony on October 23, part of the Adopt-A-Lot's 2011 closing rally at the Riverview Farmers Market.

To enter, submit at least three photographs of the garden, along with an essay that's at least 100 words and explains why it is the best garden, to tanyam@jcnj.org and emilyhelck@gmail.com. Entries are due by October 21 at 5 pm.