The city of Buckley is paving the way for a new community garden.

The garden is replacing an aging playground structure located in the middle of Mountain View Avenue on the south end of the city.

“Parks staff and community volunteers have been busy converting Mountain View Park into a community garden in preparation for this spring and summer use,” a Jan. 19 memo to the Buckley City Council reads. “Site work began with the removal of an old play structure that was no longer safe for use.”

According to Community Services Director Kevin Caviezel, there are currently four raised garden beds and a compost bin in place — the projects were completed respectively by Seth Hanson and Devin Tompkins of Boy Scout Troop 577 for their Eagle Scout projects.

“We will be working the next couple of months to complete three more raised garden beds, update an existing bench, planting of some fruit trees and install an information center with a garden library, small tools and seed exchange,” Caviezel continued.

In addition to the raised beds, which will be available for city residents to rent, the city looks to be planting several other crops to be free to use by the public, including apple trees, blueberry shrubs, strawberry plants, grape vines, rhubarb, and various herbs.

Due to the excitement surrounding the garden, there is already a waiting list for people wishing to rent a raised bed; those that would like to be added to the list, or have any questions about the community garden, can email Caviezel at kcaviezel@cityofbuckley.com.