A little-known slice of paradise resides in Artesia known as Carol’s Corner Community Garden.
It may not have the acreage and views of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s Secret Garden, but this garden provides an array of colors, not to mention a bit of shade, in the desert lands of Artesia. A variety of people and groups come together for the purpose of planting, growing, and harvesting great produce, beautiful flowers, and lasting relationships.
The Garden’s Story
This lovely garden was once a rundown lot on 9th Street marred by the remanence of a cinderblock foundation and piping from an old medical clinic. However, around eleven years ago, City Councilman Jeff Youtsey came back from Seattle, Washington with a dream. Jeff happened upon a community garden on this trip, and he watched as scores of people from many nationalities came together and planted and shared not only produce but their recipes, lives, and ideas. He knew Artesia’s garden wouldn’t be as vast, but nonetheless, he returned ready to build a community garden that citizens of Artesia could call their own.
The City of Artesia graciously allotted the land on 911 Dallas Avenue for a community garden, and Jeff began laboring to transform the rundown lot. He dug concrete footers and pipes from the ground and began leveling dirt. The lot was fenced off to allow for construction, but a small corner on the front of the land was designated to grow plants. From this point, the garden became a spot where multigenerational comradery and fun was had.
In the meantime, Jeff had become friends with Carol Griffin while campaigning for his City Councilman seat. When he returned from Seattle, he told her about the community gardens he saw while on this trip. As it turns out, she had dreamed of having a community garden, and thus made plans to help establish it. She also enlisted some of her friends like Ginny Bush and Leah Boone to join the cause. Sadly, she passed away before the dream came into fruition. This motivated Jeff and her friends to make sure this dream became a reality. The garden was named in her honor, and there is a special place in the garden with a shade tree and bench to honor her memory.
Carol’s Corner Community Garden officially opened to the public five years ago. Leah Boone says the main purpose of the garden was to provide a space for people to garden who may not have an area at their homes and to simply share. Families have used the garden to teach their children the art of gardening along with its life lessons, and it has been a therapeutic part of many lives—some who come daily without fail.
This delightful garden now boasts of:
- 30 Raised Gardening Boxes (A few are handicap accessible.)
- A Beautiful Greenhouse
- Benches & Tables
- Charcoal Grill
- A Book Box made by the Lion’s Club Leos
- A Bat Box
- An Office & Gardening Shed
- Rose Bushes & Trees
Jeff commented that, “Something like this is never done. We can keep adding and adding.” Open space still exists like a blank canvas to add on to the garden. Some additional plans for the garden include a gazebo that will hopefully be built by mid-summer, a sensory garden, and possibly an old Volkswagen Bug.
The Beauty of Community & Teamwork
Wonder is found in the aesthetics of the garden itself, but the beauty of teamwork, community service, and a common goal radiates to the roots of this project. It took many people in the community of Artesia to bring this vision into reality. Groups such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Chase Scholars, and a host of others have come together to clear the grounds, declutter the lot, clean garden boxes, and plant rosebushes that now immaculately stand on the east wall of the garden. Businesses like John Deere and Tractor Supply have donated the use of machinery and materials needed to transform the lot into a garden. Giles Inc. donated some of the concrete to pave the lot, and other groups like the Lion’s Club Leos and church groups have planted and tended the flowers and produce in the garden.
Open to All
Carol’s Corner is open from dusk to dawn for public visits. It has been used to grill and host small groups or to simply enjoy the scenery while eating a quick bite over the lunch hour. Some peruse the garden to admire gardeners’ work. Planting season began in March for those who would like to be involved and reserve a gardening box, and there are some boxes still available for this season. Those who make the commitment to plant will tend to their gardening box until November when they clean it out for the winter. Leah Boone comments that the garden has taught her that Artesia “is not just a still community; it’s a community that wants to get out and do stuff when they can. And this is just a place to allow them to do it for free, if they want to.”
A short drive or walk to Carol’s Corner is well worth the time to enjoy this charming little haven in Artesia.
For more information about the garden or to reserve a box, visit My Neighborhood on Facebook or visit their website at myneighborhood88210.weebly.com.
Article written by Amy Scroggin and originally published in Focus on Artesia 2025 Summer edition.
Amy Scroggin
Amy has a bachelor's degree in education and a master’s degree in counseling. Her life is driven by her faith, her daughters, and her husband, Scott. She enjoys a good book, traveling, being outdoors, cooking, finding adventure, and spending time with family. Amy has felt called to work with children of all ages most of her life.
