In April of 2010, Marvin Heller and fellow residents of the Lyon Street Community began a community garden on 1211 McDuffie Avenue. At first the idea of a community garden wasn’t well received.

“There was resistance at first. People didn’t want to participate because they were afraid that it would be vandalized,” Heller said.

Despite the fears from some residents, the garden was not vandalized and soon began to prosper as more and more residents began planting vegetables.

For the spring growing season, Heller and the Lyon Street Community planted tomatoes, cucumbers, okra, and squash. On the outside of the vegetable garden, volunteers planted a flower garden.

Heller says that the residents from other communities have helped as well. Volunteers and Mary Baskin Waters, president of the Historic Heathwood Association, have given their time and services to see the community garden prosper.

The garden currently sits on one lot of privately owned property; however, Heller says that is going to change.

They plan to expand to two additional lots that border the current one. Because of the uncertainty of adding these two lots, Heller isn’t sure when he and the group of volunteers will be able to plant for the fall season. The city of Columbia has agreed to help till the land, and Heller is waiting for the tilling to be completed before he begins planting. He expects is to start planting in two or three weeks.

Heller said, “We are not as well versed in environmental issues as some, but we hope that the garden will help. It will also allow the older residents to interact with the younger residents.”

Along with the garden, Heller hopes to have a nutrition class, fruit trees, and a reflection area that will consist of a pond and possibly a picnic table.

Among the vegetables that Heller is planning to grow in the fall are collards and white potatoes.