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Woonsocket council hears renewed push for community garden and three proposals for 56 Arnold Street
Summary
Residents urged restarting the city community garden near the library; Councilwoman Gonzales outlined three proposals for city-owned 56 Arnold Street and said a $37,000 grant is available to build a pocket park or green space.
Residents and volunteers urged the Woonsocket City Council on Sept. 15, 2025, to re-establish a community garden near the library and asked the city to use an available grant to develop 56 Arnold Street.
Councilwoman Gonzalez said the administration is considering three options for the site and that “we do have a grant available. It's about $37,000.” She summarized a plan for a pocket park that could host a seasonal street market and reserved space for a future memorial; she said the $37,000 would cover build-out of the park elements but not a future monument.
Several public speakers recounted past work at the community garden and offered to volunteer. Jean Michon, executive director of New Beginnings Meal Site, said the garden “gives people skin in the game” and that Lincoln’s garden reserves plots for donation. Ann Marie Flores, who said she helped install plumbing at Woonsocket’s prior garden, described personal benefits of the site and offered to repair infrastructure. Amy I. Poulyot, who said she started volunteering three years ago, said children who worked in the garden were excited to learn where food comes from.
Councilwoman Gonzalez said the land in question “does not belong to us” currently and that its availability depends on the sale of a nearby YMCA property. She added that the city already has gardening beds and ADA beds available if the site becomes usable.
The council packet included a planning-department sketch and a rough budget showing that the grant would cover primary build costs; the packet also estimated annual maintenance of roughly $1,100–$1,300. Councilwoman Gonzalez suggested that a nonprofit (Rotary, Downtown Woonsocket Collaborative or similar) might run seasonal markets and help offset upkeep costs.
Speakers proposed ancillary ideas — greenhouses, youth internship connections with Mill Race Kitchen, and potential grant or sponsorship fundraising — but no formal council vote occurred on the site during the meeting. Council members thanked advocates and urged continued engagement while ownership questions are resolved.
