Council approves probation‑run raised‑bed community garden on city lot

The Washington City Council voted March 6 to permit Green County Probation to create a small raised‑bed community garden on a city‑owned parcel near the airport.

Council members said the parcel — roughly half a block with an existing small garage and on-site water — had been discussed previously as a possible garden site and staff confirmed the city owns and maintains the lot. The probation office representative described plans to start with four raised beds (approximately 4 by 8 feet each) and to involve juveniles aged about 10 to 18 as part of supervision and team‑court programming. The garden is intended to reduce transportation burdens from a previous off‑site garden and allow more direct supervision and participation.

"We work with children age 10 to 18, sometimes a little bit over 18 if they're finishing their supervision," the probation representative said when outlining participant ages and program structure.

Council made a motion, seconded it and approved the request by roll call. Staff said operations could begin as soon as approvals and any necessary site prep are completed.

The council did not attach long‑term funding commitments to the project; staff described the site as city property and indicated probation would run the garden operations and supervision. Councilors asked clarifying questions about bed sizes, participant age ranges and supervision; the application specifies four 4x8 raised beds to start. The matter passed as an affirmative vote and will proceed through the city’s standard coordination and site‑preparation steps.