Muskogee Community Gardens

Community gardens provide an opportunity for residents to grow their own fruits and vegetables, while growing a sense of community at the same time.  Muskogee is a leader in the state in promotion and support of community gardens as one strategy to help area residents eat better and move more.

According to a recent study reported by the American Journal of Public Health, 56 percent of community gardeners met national recommendations to consume fruits and vegetables at least five times per day, compared with 37 percent of home gardeners and 25 percent of nongardeners. 

Muskogee hosts a variety of community gardens, including those at:

• Spaulding Park
• Ben Franklin Science Academy
• Muskogee County Health Dept. 
• Oldham Baptist Church

Childhood Gardening Assistance Project:  This year, Cherokee Nation, Smart Start, Muskogee Farmers' Market, the Muskogee County Health Dept. and other MWI collaborators teamed up to bring community gardens to area child development centers.  The idea was to promote an early interest in and love for fruits and vegetables by engaging children in the growing process. 

These kid-focused gardens are tended at:

• MRMC Child Development Center
• Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club and After School Program
• Muskogee Day Nursery

Muskogee's community garden efforts have also made local news.  Read more here:

• Project to fight childhood obesity
• Spaulding project leads the way in community gardening
• Community garden a successful venture
• Garden plots fill quickly at Spaulding Park
• EDITORIAL: Garden a great idea