Despite no fruit, community garden celebrates labor of work

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — The Southside-Hill Community Garden cut the ribbon on its new space Friday.

Southside Improvements Association (SIA) celebrated the first anniversary of the creation of the garden. On Friday, SIA Treasure, Kathy Williams told WAND News that the garden is part of the Great Streets Great Neighborhoods initiative.

"It's great to celebrate this accomplishment," she said.

The Jasper Street Great Streets Great Neighborhoods project has aimed to improve transportation and beautify neighborhoods along Jasper Street.

"Here, you can see people keeping their homes up or re molding them. It looks very nice in this block across the street from the school," said Williams.

The garden officially opened last year. Organizers planted fruit trees, but Williams said those trees weren't able to bloom this year because of the early-season cicada invasion.