The Beaumont City Council on April 7 approved a five-year lease for land for a community garden in Charlton-Pollard.
For 15 years, the South End Charlton-Pollard Neighborhood Association has worked to start a self-sustaining community garden. Acting President Chris Jones has worked on the project and presented the idea to past city administrations.
Now, with support from the city and partnerships with ExxonMobil, Prairie View A&M University and the Port of Beaumont, the project is moving forward.
Jones said the lease creates a partnership between the city and the community. Parks and Recreation Director Kenneth Raggette said he and Jones have been working on the project for a little more than three years.
Raggette said the project matters to both the city and the neighborhood because it aligns with broader efforts to improve parks and green spaces.
“A garden can become a gathering place, a support network, and even a space for celebration. All of this aligns closely with our broader goals of strengthening neighborhoods and enhancing quality of life,” Raggette said.
The garden will give residents a place to grow and harvest food while also serving as an educational space. Jones said it could encourage intergenerational learning by connecting elders with young people. It also could give residents a place to exchange ideas and relieve stress.
The goal is for the garden to be self-sustaining, with features such as windmills, solar panels and rainwater collection systems.
The project also faces environmental challenges. Those concerns include nearby refineries, heavy traffic, floodwater and extreme drought. Jones said partners such as Prairie View A&M have provided community workshops to educate residents about those concerns.
Jones said city support, including horticultural guidance and groundwork assistance, could help the garden grow.
Raggette and Jones said they hope the project can become a model for other neighborhoods.
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