The Junior League of Boca Raton (JLBR) will unveil its new Community Garden at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 16, at Meadows Park, 1300 NW Eighth Street in Boca Raton. Along with a ceremonial ribbon cutting, the city will celebrate Boca Raton’s 41st year as a “Tree City USA” with a tree giveaway with residents receiving native and fruiting trees.

“We were delighted to work with the City and Brightline to move the JLBR Community Garden,” says Jamie Sauer, president of the Junior League of Boca Raton. “This joint effort will enable the community to come together through gardening.”

The unveiling of the Junior League of Boca Raton’s new Community Garden follows its groundbreaking, which took place on May 10, 2021. The garden is approximately 1.4 acres and will contain about 100 plots available for residents to lease. The new space will include permaculture and pollinator gardens and space for fruit trees and pineapples as a nod to the city’s agricultural past. Ten percent of all fruits and vegetables harvested by individual garden plots will be donated to Boca Helping Hands. 

“The city is excited for our new, expanded community garden in a central location more accessible to our residents,” says Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer. “We are grateful to the Junior League and the dedicated gardeners and volunteers who will make this new location another Boca Raton treasure and to Brightline for their substantial support for this project.”

The JLBR has worked closely with Brightline and Boca Raton to relocate the garden across from the downtown public library. The initiative is part of Brightline’s investment in the city, including a new train station and parking garage. Boca Raton made the new garden possible by providing the land and Brightline made a significant contribution to help fund the construction at the new location. 

“We are happy to celebrate as the new Community Garden comes to fruition with the leadership of the Junior League and support of the City of Boca Raton,” says Patrick Goddard, president at Brightline. “This initiative is an example of Brightline’sBrightline’s mission to make a positive impact in the communities it touches. We thank the City of Boca Raton and the Junior League of Boca Raton for working with us toward these goals as we continue to expand and connect communities in South Florida.”

Other partners for the groundbreaking include Boca Raton’s Recreational Services, Boca Raton’s Office of Sustainability, Community Greening and Tree City USA.