County Commissioners Celebrate New Home for Kent Island Community Garden at Open House Event
Queen Anne’s County Commissioners recently joined community members and garden organizers to celebrate the official opening of the newly relocated Kent Island Community Garden. The open house marked a major milestone in the garden’s growth, now flourishing at its new home on county-owned property at 210 White Pine Lane in Stevensville, next to the Queen Anne’s County Fire Marshal’s Office.
The Kent Island Community Garden, formerly known as the Galilee Community Garden, had operated for 10 years in another part of Stevensville. When the garden needed a new location, organizers reached out to the County Commissioners, who responded by approving a lease agreement and identifying county land that could support the garden's continued success.
The new site offers expanded space for gardening, access to utilities, and proximity to the Cross Island Trail, Island Dog Park, and other community assets. With support from the Department of General Services and the Fire Marshal’s Office, the property was transformed into a vibrant and welcoming space for residents to grow food, build community, and learn about sustainable gardening practices.
“This garden is a great example of how we can work together to support grassroots community projects,” said County Commissioner Chris Corchiarino. “It not only promotes healthy living and sustainability but also strengthens the ties that make our community so special.”
The garden includes 18 individual raised beds, three specialty gardens—wildflowers, native pollinators, and herbs—and a dedicated garden bed for Haven Ministries, an organization that serves individuals and families in need. The site also features ADA-accessible plots, a picnic area, a shed, deer fencing, and an irrigation system—amounting to over $25,000 in capital investments.
Organized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the garden works closely with the University of Maryland Extension, Queen Anne’s County Master Gardeners, Kent Island High School, and the public library system to offer educational programming. Future plans include the addition of a greenhouse for native plant propagation, a native berry patch, expanded pollinator gardens, and hands-on learning opportunities for local schools and community groups.
For more information about the Kent Island Community Garden or how to get involved, visit https://kicg.online or contact John McKnight at McKnightJohn143@gmail.com.