Green Reading: Oakhurst Community Garden Project Prints A Magazine

The has found a new way to spread its message: a quarterly magazine.

The first issue was mailed a few days ago to the 500 garden members, said executive director Stephanie Van Parys.

The 28-page issue is printed on paper with recycled content and contains class listings, gardening tips, membership rolls and advertising.

It also has three main articles on subjects such as a senior gardening project at Spring Pointe and Oakhurst Apartments.

While the community garden has a complete website, Van Parys said some people still want to receive printed media.

The community garden has been sending out newsletters and booklets for years, but those were becoming too thick and cumbersome.

"The last booklet we put together we had to squish all this stuff into it," she said. "We thought, 'People will look at this and not know what's what.' "

Van Parys sees the magazine as a showpiece that will expand the reach of he community garden's brand.

The booklets, in comparison, were designed for members only.

With a press run of about 800, the community garden will also mail copies to VIPs and major donors, Van Parys said.

New members will receive a copy and individual copies are available for $5.