Southeast Missourian

Cape Girardeau’s newest community garden will be celebrated today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. City officials and groups involved with local gardening efforts will gather at 11 a.m. at the Shawnee Park Community Demonstration Garden and Urban Orchard on West End Blvd. The demonstration garden is one of four community gardens supported by the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department and longtime volunteer Robert Harris. Harris was instrumental in the creation of the three previous gardens along South Fountain Street, North Main Street in the Red Star area and near Washington Park. Community gardens in Cape Girardeau also are supported by the University of Missouri Extension Master Gardeners. The new garden at Shawnee was created through cooperation between the city’s parks and recreation department and the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center. The effort is one of many projects funded by city revenue generated by Isle Casino Cape Girardeau.