TOLONO, Ill. (WCIA) – The Tolono Public Library wants to offer more than book rentals. So, they came up with the plan to build community by creating a new garden.
It all started with the Community Engagement Librarian, Hilary Reinhart.
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“We don’t have anything like it in Tolono,” said Reinhart.
But that is not the only reason for the garden.
“Putting a garden back there would be a good way to bring awareness to the fact that ‘Hey, there’s space back here that people can be using and it could be useful to the community,’” said Reinhart.
The garden project has three phases. During the first phase, they focused on breaking ground and piecing together the foundation. The community is already involved with the garden; each colorfully decorated brick was done by a community member.
“There are so many [bricks] out here that I was blown away by the artistry and the attention to detail put on them,” said Reinhart.
They are currently in the second phase, which is fencing. During the last phase, they will begin planting. One 16-year-old Boy Scout is helping with all of that.
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“We’ll hopefully plant tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, just a bunch of different things,” said Andrew Berkey.
He also wants to plant flowers.
“I don’t know exactly what we want yet, but hopefully it would be something real pretty something, real colorful,” said Berkey.
No matter what is in the garden, Reinhart said everyone can benefit.
“Anyone is welcome, whether you come to the library regularly, whether you can get a Tolono library card, or whether you live in our district,” said Reinhart.
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