The Centralia City Council last week unanimously approved a donation of a new drip irrigation system for the 17 different demonstration gardens in Fort Borst Park from the Washington State University Lewis County Master Gardeners, who maintain the gardens.
Deputy City Manager and Parks Director Amy Buckler explained that any donation to the city valued at $1,000 or more requires council approval. The donation was accepted during a March 12 council meeting at Centralia City Hall.
Several Lewis County Master Gardeners were on hand, including Jeanette Lawson, to explain why the drip irrigation system was needed.
“We are currently watering in these 17 gardens carrying hoses or buckets or whatever. It’s all overhead watering and extremely wasteful,” Lawson said. “... One of the nine values we have as master gardeners is water conservation, and that’s our primary point here tonight, to save the city water.”
If a drip irrigation system is installed, it will not only help save water but also save labor as no more buckets of water need to be carried. Lawson added the Lewis County Master Gardeners board, along with Washington State University Extension, approved $4,500 in funding for the drip irrigation system.
“I whole-heartedly support this donation,” Buckler added.
Members of the Centralia City Council thanked the Lewis County Master Gardeners not only for the drip irrigation system donation, but for their years of efforts in growing and maintaining the demonstration gardens at Borst Park.
To learn more about the Lewis County Master Gardeners and how to get involved with the Washington State University Extension program, visit https://lewis-mg-mrc.org/.
