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Community volunteers, city staff praise Valentine’s Garden Day for kids
Summary
Organizers reported about 55 attendees and seven volunteers contributing ~50 planning hours at a Feb. 14 children’s gardening event moved indoors after heavy rain; presenters asked the city to continue partnering on seasonal activities and intergenerational programs.
Melanie Hendricks, speaking for the Gardening for Kids Committee, told the council that the committee’s Valentine’s Garden Day for Kids on Feb. 14, 2025, drew about 55 participants after the event was moved from the community garden to an indoor community room because of rain. She said volunteers, parents and local first responders attended and that the committee collected survey feedback from parents.
"We did give out a survey or we had a QR code and parents were allowed to take a survey," Hendricks said, summarizing participant reactions and requests for future programs.
Amy Jones, the Loma Linda Community Garden coordinator, described hands-on activities that mixed plant science and art, including making watercolors from foraged garden materials. Jones said the activity emphasized non‑synthetic materials and allowed parents to assist children in creating greeting‑card artwork.
"When you make your own paint from plants and you use materials that are from a garden that doesn't use any type of... toxins, it's a really great activity for children," Jones said.
Organizers reported roughly seven community volunteers who together contributed about 50 hours to planning and facilitation. They said parents asked for more seasonal events (holiday crafts, pollinator classes) and expressed a preference to keep future activities in the garden when weather permits.
The committee thanked City Manager TJ and Council member Rhonda for attending and asked the council to continue partnering on programming that connects children and seniors, citing interest in intergenerational gardening classes.
The council acknowledged the report and the planners’ outreach efforts. No formal action was requested; presenters said they will continue to coordinate with city staff on scheduling and logistics.
