Independence Township Parks and Recreation’s Director Mike Turk and Recreation Supervisor Kelly Hyer awarded Jim Tesnar and Susan Leigh, Nov. 18, for their ‘endless hours of work? in the Clarkston Community Garden.
The award read: ‘The strength of your achievement is rooted in the depth of your passion.?
Turk said Tesnar and Leigh spent hours in a place where many people would ‘steer away from.?
‘They spent countless hours in the garden planting, weeding, watering, harvesting, spreading manure,? he said. ‘When they weren’t planting or working in the garden they were out recruiting other volunteers.?
More than 65 volunteers helped plant 18 rows and 10 different crops of vegetables, and install an electric fence to manage the wildlife around the 200-by-65-foot garden.
Volunteers included master gardeners, elementary through high school students, local churches, Girl Scouts, local neighbors and Clarkston community members.
‘As far as the harvesting of the vegetables, we were one pound shy of hitting the 2,000 pound mark. All 1,999 pounds of food were donated to Gleaners Food Bank of Oakland County,? said Hyer. ‘Pumpkins were a late addition to the garden but were considered a success with over 60 donated or sold from the garden.?