The Town of Holly Springs will open applications for its new Community Garden at Sugg Farm starting December 1, 2025. The garden is scheduled to be available for the 2026 growing season, with both the garden and nearby nature play area and sensory trail expected to open in early 2026.
The Community Garden will offer a total of 40 raised beds, each measuring 4 by 12 feet. Of these, 15 beds are designed to be ADA accessible for individuals with limited mobility. Each bed comes prepared with planting soil and compost. The construction uses non-toxic, eco-friendly materials that include a cedar edge suitable for sitting or leaning while gardening. The site includes multiple yard hydrants for watering and a shed stocked with tools and hoses.
“We are thrilled to open the Community Garden, which will provide residents with a dedicated space to grow their own produce, enjoy outdoor activity, and participate in sustainable living,” said LeeAnn Plumer, Holly Springs Parks & Recreation Director. “Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out, the garden will be a great place to connect with nature and with the community.”
Plumer also highlighted environmental benefits of community gardens such as reducing rain runoff, increasing biodiversity, and lowering surface and air temperatures through increased vegetation.
Applications for garden beds can be submitted from December 1, 2025 through January 15, 2026. If demand exceeds supply, assignments will be made by lottery. Applications can be found online or picked up at Bass Lake Park, Hunt Recreation Center, or Holly Springs Cultural Center beginning December 1. Applicants must be at least age 18; there is a $40 fee per bed.
Construction near the garden is nearing completion on both a nature play area and sensory trail aimed at providing inclusive outdoor experiences for children aged two to ten as well as visitors seeking sensory engagement with nature. Features include sand areas for tactile learning, active play zones supporting socialization and motor skills development, a labyrinth for mindfulness practice, and interpretive signage along an accessible quarter-mile path.
Both projects have received partial funding from the Accessible Parks Grant Program under the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund.
