CRRC Will Raze Beloved Community Garden Unless Another Green Thumb Steps Up

CRRC of Canyon Lake Board President Art Seago said the charity will raze the Joe Ed Lyles Community Garden unless another organization is willing to take over of the weedy piece of land by the Rec Center across from Tye Preston Memorial Library.

The garden has wilted since the 2022 death of its namesake, a beloved Canyon Lake Lion and retired landscaper who worked long hours in the hot sun, teaching dozens of volunteers how to raise vegetables for the CRRC’s Food Pantry.

Lyles assigned each volunteer a plot and provided them with the seeds, soil, and expertise needed to grow food for Canyon Lake residents.

Vegetables that did well in the garden included tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, bush beans, okra, eggplant, peas, squash, pumpkins, beets, broccoli, cabbage (“ah some delicious cabbage came out of here,” Lyles once noted), carrots, cauliflower, Swiss chard, radish, spinach, and kale.

In 2022, the garden yielded 6,000 pounds of produce.

Now only four of the garden’s original 80 plots are in active use.

Seago also cited maintenance challenges as a reason for the potential closure.

Back in the day, the community garden was a “fun place to be…a place where everybody knows your name,” Lyles liked to say.

He entertained his amateur gardeners with Taco Tuesdays, field trips, zip lining, swimming adventures and visits to other area gardens.

Seago said CRRC’s board of directors believe now is the time for another group to step forward and revive the garden. Otherwise, it will close for good.

“CRRC extends its heartfelt thanks to the many people and organizations that have supported and contributed to the community garden over its 10-year history,” he said. “The community garden has been a wonderful asset to many over the years, but as conditions and needs change, we must adapt. CRRC is committed to ensuring this space continues to benefit our community, whether through a new project or another group taking it on.”

Anyone who is interested in assuming responsibility for the garden, both fiscally and programmatically, is asked to submit a proposal by Nov. 4.

Organizations can contact the CRRC team at Operations@crrcofcanyonlake.org to schedule a meeting and tour.

The CRRC plans to honor Lyles’ legacy with a memorial.

“The garden had been an important part of CRRC’s Food Pantry efforts, providing fresh produce to those in need and fostering community interaction,” the area charity said in a statement.

CRRC is a nonprofit dedicated to serving the local community through programs and services that promote food security, financial assistance, senior support and recreational opportunities.