When the right people collaborate, beautiful things take form! Earlier this year, the dynamic team at Community Partnership Family Resource Center and a few dedicated staff at the City of Woodland Park pooled their resources to create a living example of community. The west lawn of City Hall is now home to the Community Garden, a passion project with a new address but an old heart.

“This season is a restart to our program,” President & CEO Jodi Mijares said.

Community Partnership Family Resource Centers offers 20 evidence-based programs for families and children living in Teller County. One of these programs is the Community Garden. For the past 13 years, CP has had its hands in the dirt, nurturing the hearts and bellies of local families.

CP’s Community Garden program began humbly back in 2012. The first garden took shape at the Little Chapel of the Hills in nearby Divide. As resources and funding became more abundant, so too did the garden, and the program’s growth led to the establishment of new locations. In the following years, the program relocated to Summit Elementary and the Woodland Park Community Church, where the garden has flourished every year for the last decade. With just ten garden beds the first year, and eventually reaching eighteen, it was clear to staff at CP that the program would benefit from additional expansion. Little did they know at the time that city staff were busy brainstorming possibilities to provide greater community outreach through shared assets and inspirations.

City of Woodland Park Parks and Recreation Director Cindy Keating and Assistant City Manager/Operations Manager Rob Felts have been instrumental in helping to establish the city’s lawn as the project’s new home, which helps solve a problem at each of the previous locations: space.

With room for a small greenhouse and 35 galvanized raised garden beds, the 2025 Community Garden is now more than double its original size! While the Community Garden has doubled in size, additional resources have become available to help balance the growing program costs. Grants largely supported the growth of this project. All of the galvanized garden beds, gardening tools and supplies, as well as seeds and plants, were purchased with the support of these grant awards. Area businesses and organizations have also stepped up to help with donations and funding to purchase seed-starting supplies and dirt to build the 35 garden beds.

With 13 years of experience growing in Teller County, lessons have been learned along the way to provide helpful insight for future years. Among these have been methods to improve and encourage plant growth through garden bed preparation, as well as tricks to deter unwanted visits from hungry wildlife. The 35 galvanized garden beds were layered with cardboard and slash before being filled with 58 tons of soil. This helps to protect from vermin and bugs. The soil was amended with llama manure and mushroom compost. Natural elements contribute to soil enrichment, promoting healthy and sustainable growth of plants and herbs. With planting completed, each bed is receiving a raised garden bed hoop house designed to help extend the growing season and offer protection from seasonal hail and curious critters.

With the expansion to 35 garden beds, CP has been able to expand its offerings, including themed gardens. Some of this year’s themed gardens include a sensory garden designed to engage all five senses: sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound. They are especially beneficial for children, individuals with disabilities, or anyone who appreciates a soothing and interactive experience with nature.

CP has been thoughtful with their design by incorporating a handful of gardens located close to the City’s parking lot, encouraging gardening for community members of all abilities. Children will love the butterfly and pizza gardens, offering beauty and tantalizing tastes. Additionally, four garden beds have been designated for the Community Cupboard, helping to provide fresh produce for the food bank.

The inspiration for a shared community garden was the late Lee Willoughby’s vision.

“Lee was a lifelong advocate for the environment and sustainable farming,” Mijares said. “Lee loved the City and threw his heart and soul into the community.”

Among his many accomplishments, Lee served as President of the Teller Park Conservation District for nearly a decade. Adding to his roster of community service, Lee served on three city boards, including the Woodland Park Utilities Advisory Committee, was a member of the Keep Woodland Park Beautiful Committee and served as treasurer of the Woodland Park Main Street Board. Willoughby was an exemplary advocate who put his principles into action, and the team at CP has proudly carried his torch to influence future generations of Teller County residents.

The Community Garden provides an opportunity for community connections through collaborations with neighbors, fostering social interactions and sharing skills and knowledge more broadly. Shared work leads to a shared harvest, lessening food security worries close to home. Spending time outdoors and working in nature promotes healthier lifestyles and improved mental health. Gardens are spaces of beauty and tranquility, boosting our already gorgeous mountain community. The benefits are plentiful, and residents are encouraged to reap the rewards by pitching in!

CP is offering Work and Learn days every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the season. Work and Learn days are open to residents of all ages at no cost and provide an opportunity to have their hands in the dirt alongside Master Gardener Sharon Lembo. The goal for 2025 is to focus on community engagement, establishing the new location, and assessing community interest. Comprehensive information about the Community Gardens, volunteer opportunities, and ways to support the program can be found on the CP website at cpteller.org, or you can reach out by phone at 719-686-0705.