A Vision That’s Already Taking Root
The next phase of the White Lake Community Garden is no longer an idea. It is happening now, and what comes next depends on the community stepping in to help build it.
After receiving approval from the Whitehall City Council on February 24, the garden has officially launched its fundraising campaign, marking a shift from planning to action. What began as a small, promising effort is now moving toward becoming a permanent and expanding space that could reshape how people in White Lake connect with food, education, and each other.
At its core, the mission is simple but meaningful. The White Lake Community Garden is designed to give neighbors a place to grow food together, learn sustainable gardening practices, and share knowledge in a way that strengthens both the environment and the community. But the vision goes much further than a few garden beds.
White Lake Community Garden thriving in August of 2025
Transforming Space, Expanding Opportunity
The plan begins with transformation. More than 12,000 square feet of old tennis courts at Slocum Park will be converted into a thriving, accessible garden space. What is currently cracked asphalt will become a place where families gather, children learn, and fresh produce is available to anyone who needs it.
The 2026 season is focused on building that foundation. Much of the year will be spent preparing the site, installing fencing, creating pathways, and establishing infrastructure like irrigation and composting systems. As sections are completed, planting will begin, bringing the space to life piece by piece.
The long term vision is even more ambitious. Within five years, the garden aims to become a well established community hub that regularly hosts educational programs and events. Looking ahead ten years, the goal is to create a fully accessible food forest, a park like space filled with fruit trees, berry bushes, and perennial plants that residents can enjoy freely. No fees, no barriers, and no prior experience required.
Why This Moment Matters
This is where the story shifts from vision to urgency.
The project is volunteer driven, with more than 40 community members already committed to helping. Local support has also played a role, with donated excavation work, materials, and initial funding helping move the project forward. But to fully build what is planned for this year, additional financial support is essential.
The garden’s fundraising campaign is centered on raising 25,000 dollars in seed funding by May 1. That funding will directly support key infrastructure such as deer proof fencing, walkways, and irrigation systems. These are not optional upgrades. They are the pieces that determine whether the garden can function, grow, and serve the community long term.
More Than a Garden
There is a broader impact behind every donation.
This is not just about planting vegetables. It is about creating access to fresh food, especially for residents who may not have space or resources to grow their own. It is about building a place where people can meet neighbors they have never met, learn skills they have never tried, and spend time in a shared space that belongs to everyone.
The location itself reflects that intention. Positioned along Colby Street, the garden will be visible to both residents and visitors entering Whitehall. It will connect the downtown area with surrounding neighborhoods and create a more inviting, unified streetscape.
A Community Decision in Real Time
Community gardens often succeed or fail based on one factor: participation. Not just in volunteering, but in belief. The belief that this space matters, that it will be used, and that it is worth investing in now so it can exist for years to come.
The White Lake Community Garden is at that turning point.
It has the plan. It has the people. It has the approval. What it needs now is the support to move from groundwork to growth.
How to Support the Garden
For those who want to be part of building something lasting in White Lake, donations can be made here:
https://www.wlcgarden.org/donate
The outcome of this campaign will determine more than just how the garden looks this year. It will shape what kind of space White Lake becomes in the years ahead, and whether this vision of shared food, shared learning, and shared community can fully take root.
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