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Community Garden & Learning Greenhouse

Transforming unused municipal land into a space for food growing, hands-on education, environmental stewardship, and community connection for all ages.

Background:

During our July 8, 2025, business meeting, the PMAGC Executive Board presented this initiative to the membership as a potential new project, which was met with enthusiastic approval. A productive 45-minute discussion and brainstorming session ensued, characterized by remarkable energy and ideas. Following that meeting, several individuals volunteered to form a subcommittee, which has since been consistently meeting to advance this project.

After engaging with various stakeholder groups throughout the summer, members of the PMAGC Community Garden Subcommittee presented a community garden concept to the Paxton Select Board on Monday, November 24, 2025. The concept and presentation were exceptionally well-received, leading to the Select Board's unanimous approval of a motion to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and grant us the open space adjacent to the basketball courts at Center Fields for the establishment of a community garden.

Keep scrolling below for details on our conceptual plan, the location, cost, current supporters and related news articles.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Paxton Recreation and the Select Board for their support. PMAGC is eager to develop this new community amenity.

View the Community Garden Presentation slides

Watch the 20 minute presentation to the Select Board on YouTube (timestamp 0:12:40-0:33:04)

The Paxton Community Garden Conceptual Plan:

Community Garden Subcommittee:

Special thanks to these dedicated members who are spearheading this project.

Julie Dubuque, PMAGC Secretary
Karen Gearin
Duston Hill (liaison w/the Recreation Commission)
Barbara Matheson
Patti McKone, PMAGC Vice President
John Pender-Cudlip
Joyce Powers
Robin Tasca, PMAGC President
Andrea Thackeray
Jeff Wentzell (liaison w/the Town of Paxton)

Visit our Club Meetings & Minutes page for all meeting minutes.

Sundial Patio Brick Fundraiser

Become a part of the Paxton Community Garden! We are creating a 12x12' brick patio in the center of our community garden for a sundial. Choose from either a 4x8"/$75 or 8x8"/$125 engraved brick to support the sundial patio creation.

Order a Brick Today!

The Location at Center Fields:

The Community Garden will be located on open parcel (approx. 1/2 acre) to the left of the basketball courts at Center Fields managed by Paxton Recreation, just behind the John Bauer Senior Center and Paxton Center School.

The Cost:

The estimated complete project cost is upwards of $180,000. This includes land clearing and preparation, a fence, staircase, ADA ramp (all from the parking lot), raised beds, rain catchment system, 12x30 year round greenhouse, 12x14 shed, pergola, picnic tables and more. The entire project will be self funded at no expense to the Paxton taxpayer.

PMAGC is actively fundraising, applying for grants, seeking monetary donations and in-kind support from licensed contractors, landscapers etc.

If you would like to support the Community Garden Project, we accept:

Cash via our donation box at Paxton Marketplace
Checks payable to PMAGC mailed to PO Box 92, Paxton MA 01612. Please list "community garden" in the memo
Venmo @Paxton-Garden-Club. Please list "community garden" in the notes field
For in-kind donations, please email the club at paxtongardenclub01612@gmail.com

The Learning Greenhouse:

The 12x30' Haven Custom Greenhouse by Outdoor Personia will be a focal point of the community garden project that will provide space for horticultural learnings for Paxton Center School students (K-9) and the general public. This prefab construction offers electric fans and tilt-out vents provide ample ventilation for growing in a variety of climates.

$58,767: Full Cost
$21,762: Less Manufacturer's discount
$10,000: Less Fidelity Bank grant donation
$27,005: Balance we are fundraising/seeking

Enormous thanks to Brian Lawler, Lawler Construction for his commitment to prep the foundation pad and Wes Fling, Fling Electric for his commitment to handle all of the wiring.

Interested in helping fund the Greenhouse? We accept:

Checks payable to PMAGC mailed to PO Box 92, Paxton MA 01612. Please list "greenhouse" in the memo.

Venmo @Paxton-Garden-Club. Please list "greenhouse" in the notes field