Parents, Politicians Work To Save Camden Children's Garden
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Momentum is building in just two weeks after the state of New Jersey sent a letter evicting the Camden Children's Garden from about 90-percent of its space along the Camden waterfront. Parents and politicians have joined forces to fight the measure.
About a hundred elected officials, community leaders and children stood inside of the Camden Children's Garden holding signs, demanding that the state rescind the eviction notice.
According to the letter, the garden space would go the operators of the Adventure Aquarium next door. Founder Mike Devlin says a grassroots movement to save CCG exploded.
"Eighteen mothers who brought their children here started a Facebook page and now it has about 6,500 members in less than two weeks."
And now the Mayor, council and other state officials are stepping in, promising to stop the eviction slated for March 31st.
"Starting Tuesday, Mike, myself are going to be meeting with the state of New Jersey to work out our issue," New Jersey Senator Donald Norcross said "We will not be working on an eviction, we will be working to make sure this is a win."
The 4.5 acre community garden program is said to produce more than $2 million in produce and offers a fun, free place space for 10,000 children each year. For more info on how to help save CCG, go to www.camdenchildrensgarden.wordpress.com/save
