Yoga, gardening in more first Saturdays in Queen Park

Although small in size, Queen Park hosts a slew of activities during its monthly Community Day. Last month’s event, held on October 6, offered a hands-on gardening workshop as well as an invigorating yoga session.

Nicole Carter, CE Programs Coordinator of the Inglewood-based Social Justice Learning Institute (SJLI), provided a relaxing tour of the park’s community garden. One of nearly two dozen gar- dens recently planted in the city, it boasts artichokes, peppers, kale, collard greens and more. A team of local residents cares for the garden plots, but usage is open to the community. The food produced there sells as a part of the newly developed Community Supported Agriculture Program, which allows Inglewood residents to purchase a mix of seasonal fruits and vegetables—all grown from local organic gardens. A bag of produce sells for $10.00, while a box sells for $20. For an additional $2, delivery is available.

In addition to touring the garden, attendees learned how to plant and care for organic gardens, including natural solutions for preventing weeds and fighting insects. (Mulch helps prevent the onset of weeds, while cayenne pepper helps keeps ants away.) Attendees also plant- ed their own salad mixes in pots that could be grown in their homes.

A yoga session followed the gardening lesson. Novice and seasoned yogis alike stretched and breathed in unison on the complimentary mats that covered the grass. Several yards away, children ran and laughed, their faces adorned with hand-painted balloons and butterflies. Queen Park’s Community Days, held the first Saturday of each month, promote health and wellness through free interactive workshops and classes. The next Community Day, to be held Saturday, November 3, 2012, features a gardening work- shop and a kick-boxing class.

For more information about the CSA and other lo- cal programs, please contact the Social Justice Learning Institute at or visit their Web site at http://sjli-cp.org.