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Plot thickens in Carbondale

Dale Shrull
Glenwood Springs correspondent
Aspen, CO Colorado
The chives are in bloom at the existing Carbondale Community Garden and the honeybees are happy to do their part. (Kelley Cox/Post Independent)
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CARBONDALE – There may be more green thumbs sprouting up in Carbondale.

There’s a chance that the Carbondale Community Garden could grow into two community gardens.

A while back, Town Trustee Russ Criswell made a proposal to the Carbondale Parks and Recreation Commission to use a small piece of the 33-acre Delaney property for a second community garden.



Jeff Jackel, the town’s recreation director, likes that idea.

“I think it makes sense that a portion of that property be designated for a community garden,” he said. “We wish we had more available space now.”




He said that currently there is a waiting list to get one of the 24 garden plots in the existing garden at the corner of Hendrick and Hollow drives.

The Delaney property, which is a few blocks northeast of downtown, was acquired by the town in 1999. According to Jackel, the town is currently assessing what to do with the property. Possibilities include a natural park, ball fields and open space.

In 2003, when forming a master plan, Jackel said that the majority of the public responses wanted to keep the property as natural open space.

Ultimately the town trustees will determine what the Delaney property will be used for and if a portion will be sliced off for a second community garden.

At this point, the town trustees have yet to be approached with the garden proposal.

The existing community garden was founded with a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture with the stipulation that organic methods be used.