Chris Makepeace provided some historical background on the garden:

I’m not sure when the original garden was established, but I do recall going in there with my grandfather as a young boy, so you’re looking at the early fifties. Grandpa died in 1958. The garden encompassed the entire lot, considerably larger than now. It had some flowers, but mostly vegetables. The plot was planted for the benefit of the employees at no cost. My grandfather or the company had it planted.They could pick their own on their schedules, usually after work. Across the street next to the entrance to Tihonet Bog there was a cabin where the caretaker resided. She was a Cape Verdean woman named Mary Sousa. She worked in season at maintaining the garden.

In the fall, after the cranberry harvest, the bogs were flooded for floats. The float boats would launch and drive slowly to churn up any good berries and trash as all bogs were dry harvested and needed to be cleaned. This slurry was removed and taken to the village where it was processed in the float house to separate any good berries. The trash was taken to the garden and spread. Subsequently a commercial lime truck would spread a thick coat and then it was all harrowed in. I think this is why the soil is so light. Good for root crops.

When I started working for the company there was no garden and no gate. Wankinco club members and employees could launch small boats at the rear of the property into the Mill Pond. I personally maintained the rear of the property keeping it brushed between the open ares and the pond. Great place to eat lunch.

In the early eighties George and I started a little venture named ” Abel D’s Trees ” I ordered 50 rhodies and planted them on the perimeter and up near the steam bath. They came in nicely and still exist. We also ordered many Norway spruce and planted them on the interior for Christmas trees. When they matured they were made available to employees and friends at a nominal cost. That’s when the row of tall trees out front were planted across the front for a screen. This was about 35 years ago. After the trees were all harvested, probably 3 or 4 years, the venture. was over. Gradually the briers and poison ivy took over. It stayed that way until the community garden began. I still ate my lunch back under the trees and fished.

Fast forward to 2009, when the A.D. Makepeace Company allocated the area on Tihonet Road for use as a community garden. The company installed irrigation for watering, and gardeners’ small annual fee pays for water and mowing around the gardens and the parking area.