Lake Wales, FL —The Grove Community Garden in Lake Wales had its groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, April 14, 2023, at 9 am. The community garden was named in honor of neighboring Grove Manor – a Lake Wales Public Housing Authority community – and will primarily serve residents of the NW neighborhood of Lake Wales. 

 The groundbreaking for the community garden was at:

James P Austin Community Center
315 Dr. MLK Blvd.
Lake Wales, FL 33853

Ceremony attendees included Lake Wales Mayor Jack Hilligoss and the City Commission, as well as representatives from the Department of Health in Polk County (DOH-Polk), City of Lake Wales, Polk Vision Food Security Council, KidsPACK, Inc., Central Florida Health Care, B Street Community Service Center and Friends of The Grove Garden, Boys & Girls Club of Polk – South Ridge Unit, and United Way Community Wellness Initiative.

A local health and social service provider task force chose the NW neighborhood of Lake Wales after data indicated higher rates of food insecurity and chronic disease, behavioral health concerns, and other health-related risks. The community chose a garden to serve the neighborhood as a solution. The task force plans a community garden grand opening in August 2023.

The Grove Community Garden will be for the community and by the community. Interested neighborhood residents should submit ideas about how the garden will look and function to the task force. For more information about the garden, please contact Jessica Napoleon at Jessica.Napoleon@flhealth.gov.