ANAHEIM, CA - (May 8, 2012) - Anaheim’s Hi Neighbor program has introduced an exciting new community project, and in doing so is embracing Anaheim’s agricultural roots through a series of Community Gardens.

The Hi Neighbor Community Gardens is a pilot project with a plot of land in each of the west, south and east Anaheim neighborhood districts. Each Hi Neighbor Community Garden will give residents the opportunity to grow vegetables, fruit, flowers, as well as greater connections with their neighbors. In central Anaheim residents from that neighborhood district have formed a privately led “Anaheim Community Gardens” project.

More than 5,000 volunteers are growing seedlings, and more community members are encouraged to share their passion for gardening, meeting new people and beautifying Anaheim. We invite you to get involved with the Hi Neighbor Community Garden project.

The Hi Neighbor Community Garden was introduced earlier this year as a way to build community through gardening. Community gardening is popular in urban settings, and is an activity enjoyed by expert and novice gardeners.

“The Hi Neighbor Community Garden is another opportunity for residents to meet their neighbors, while enjoying our great southern California climate,” said Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait. “I am grateful to Councilmember Gail Eastman for sharing her interest in gardening with the community, and for taking the lead in providing this opportunity to residents of all ages.”

Completion date is expected late summer. Groundbreaking for the Hi Neighbor Community Gardens will take place in approximately 4-6 weeks, after which the land will be available for planting and maintenance.

For more information on the Hi Neighbor Community Garden program and instructions on how to get involved please visit www.anaheim.net/hineighbor and click on the Community Garden link.

Media Contact: Ruth Ruiz 714.765.5060more city news

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ABOUT ANAHEIM – The City of Anaheim, founded in 1857, is one of the nation's premier municipalities and is one of California's most populous cities. Anaheim covers 50 square miles with more than 343,000 residents and more than 2,950 City employees. The municipal corporation's annual budget is $1.5 billion. Anaheim supports a thriving business community with companies such as Carl Karcher Enterprises, Inc., L-3 Communications, Pacific Sunwear, and Disneyland Resort. Successful sports franchises call Anaheim home, including Angels Baseball, Anaheim Ducks, the U.S. Men's National Volleyball Team, the 2012 Olympic Games Silver Medal winning U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team, and the Professional Arena Soccer League Anaheim Bolts. Anaheim also boasts world-class meeting and entertainment venues with the Anaheim Convention Center, LEED-certified and the largest on the west coast, Honda Center, City National Grove of Anaheim, Anaheim GardenWalk, and Angel Stadium of Anaheim. In addition, Anaheim embraces its vibrant cultural arts community, including the world-renowned Anaheim Ballet. Annually, Anaheim welcomes millions of visitors to the city, truly making it where the world comes to live, work and play. For more information, please visit www.anaheim.net.

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