The Dolores Town Board has approved a community garden at Joe Rowell Park.

The Dolores Family Project will build and operate the garden with volunteers. Produce will be given to anyone who needs food and has a Dolores address, including beyond city limits, said Amber Lansing, project coordinator.

The garden will be near the playground and have deer fencing. It will include raised beds and take up an area of 45 feet by 30 feet.

The town has agreed to provide free irrigation water during the growing season for the garden, and will build a water line to the garden.

The garden is being designed and built with input from the CSU Montezuma Agriculture Extension. Construction is expected to be completed in early May with the help of 20 volunteers. It will be accessible to disabled visitors.

The garden’s agreement with the town will be reviewed and renewed annually. The Dolores Family Project operates under the Good Samaritan Project, a nonprofit food bank based in Cortez.

Volunteers and garden tools are needed. Volunteers will learn gardening skills and help provide fresh food to residents. Tools needed include: two garden forks, two shovels, one heavy rake, a hoe, a pitchfork, weeder, hand tools, a wheelbarrow, water cans, two durable hoses, a moisture meter, a compost bin and a small tool shed.

To donate or volunteer, email organizers at dolores.community.garden@gmail.com

In the future, the community garden may expand to lease individual spots for gardening, said Town Manager Ken Charles.

Newly elected Mayor Leigh Reeves and new board members Mark Youngquist, Jeff Sand and Todd Andrews took the oath of office.

Outgoing Mayor Chad Wheelus and board members Tracy Murphy and Jen Stark expressed gratitude for serving on the board and wished the newcomers good luck.