Community Gardens - Lancaster Rec

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Welcome to Lancaster Rec’s Community Gardens! 🌱

Lancaster Rec is proud to cultivate three welcoming green spaces throughout our community: the Bay Street Community Garden, The Cabbage Patch, and the Reservoir Park Community Garden.

Bay Street Community Garden

Nestled in the heart of the West Lancaster Jewels neighborhood, the Bay Street Community Garden is a hidden gem with deep roots. This green space has been a source of nourishment and connection for generations—starting as a Victory Garden during World War II.

Thanks to a recent collaboration between the City of Lancaster’s Department of Public Works and the Bureau of Health, this cherished garden will continue to grow and thrive as a vibrant community hub.

The Cabbage Patch

The Cabbage Patch is one of the newest additions to Lancaster Rec’s growing network of community gardens. This neighborhood green space will provide new opportunities for residents to connect with nature, learn about gardening, and come together as a community.

Reservoir Park Community Garden

Located within Reservoir Park, this new community garden will create another welcoming space where neighbors and families can grow fresh produce, participate in hands-on learning, and build meaningful connections with one another.

Across all three gardens, our shared vision is to create welcoming spaces where neighbors can:

🌾 Enjoy fresh, healthy foods grown right in their neighborhoods
🌼 Build stronger connections by bringing together people from all walks of life
🌳 Beautify their neighborhoods and create peaceful, green retreats
🌿 Empower community members of all ages and abilities to learn and grow
♻️ Promote sustainability through composting and environmental education

For additional information about our Community Gardens, please contact Spencer Shambaugh at SShambaugh@LancasterRec.org.

Lancaster Farming Article: Bay Street Community Garden Brings Lancaster Neighbors Together

Volunteer Flyer

Volunteers Needed

🌱 Volunteer at Bay Street Community Garden! 🌱

We’re excited to announce the launch of the Bay Street Community Garden — a vibrant new space where neighbors can come together to grow food, build connections, and create a greener future! To make this project a success, we need your help!

We’re looking for passionate volunteers to join us in the following areas:
✅ Planning Committee – Help shape the vision and future of the garden by joining the planning team.
✅ Educational Services – Share your knowledge! Lead or support workshops on gardening, sustainability, and more.
✅ Work Days – Get your hands dirty! Join us for scheduled work days to plant, weed, and maintain the garden.
✅ Donations – Help us grow! We’re accepting donations of plants, tools, and other supplies to keep the garden thriving.
✅ General Maintenance – Keep the garden beautiful by assisting with watering, weeding, and general upkeep.

🌼 Whether you have a green thumb or just want to give back to the community, there’s a place for you at Bay Street Community Garden!

👉 Sign up today and be part of growing something special!

Let’s grow together! 🌿

📢 Weekly Work Days (for Registered Volunteers, Starting April 28th 2026)

Starts 4/28/26!

Tuesday & Thursdays | 5:30 – 7:30 pm

Saturdays | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

📢 Upcoming Programming (Open to the Public)

Kids in the Garden – Tuesdays | 4:45 – 5:30 pm (May-August)

Registration Closed

Plant Neighbors – First Wednesdays | 6:00 – 7:30 pm (May-September)

📒 Monthly Garden Reports

Bay Street Garden Monthly Report
Our Bay Street Garden continues to grow as a thriving green space for the community. Each month, we share updates on garden progress, seasonal plantings, volunteer efforts, and upcoming activities. The report highlights what’s in bloom, what’s being harvested, and how the garden is making an impact—whether it’s providing fresh produce, supporting pollinators, or bringing neighbors together.

Stay connected with our monthly updates to see how Bay Street Garden is flourishing and how you can get involved in keeping it vibrant year-round.

September Garden Report_2025

August Garden Report_2025

July Garden Report_2025

📅 Look What We Did Together!

Kids in the Garden Workshops (7/9/25, 8/6/25)
5/3/25 Planting and Seeding Workshop
City landscapers have completed trimming and transplanting plants along the fence line.
Lancaster City has completed the fencing around the garden.
Lancaster City has encapsulated contaminated soil (including paving).
Special thanks to all those who came out to help on our first work day on April 5th 2025! (Images below)