Fall River Housing Authority Family and Youth Services Coordinator Joseph DaSilva invited local officials, residents and all those who were involved in helping to create the housing development's first community garden for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 31, 2009 at the Doolan Apartments in the City's South End. Mr. DaSilva thanked the Mayor's Office, YouthBuild, BMC HealthNet, WalMart, Children In Balance, the Doolan Apartments tenants' association, and his own summer youth staff for their contributions to making the garden and outside benches available to residents. "I can think of nothing that contributes to the health of any community more than a garden," noted Healthy City coordinator David S. Weed, Psy.D. "From the exercise that goes into creating and maintaining the garden to the nutritious food that comes out of it, gardens are the perfect prescription for health," he added. Click here to see photos of the initial planning session that created the garden and here for more information about the community gardens project. Click here to see all of the community gardens in Fall River. For further information about the Doolan gardens, contact Family and Youth Services Director Joseph DaSilva at 508-675-3527.
 

(Top row, left and center)  Fall River Housing Authority Family and Youth Services Coordinator Joseph DaSilva talks with City Council candidate Ray Mitchell before the opening ribbon-cutting ceremony begins. (Top row, right) Doolan Apartment Manager Ivelisse Veras, mayoral assistant Colleen Whipp, City Councilor Steve Camara and Doolan Apartment tenant association president Addie Adams cut the ribbon dedicating several new outdoor projects completed this summer by members of YouthBuild and the summer youth working for the Housing Authority. (Middle row, left) Resident Ed Cote is congratulated by Housing Authority executive director Tom Collins for his work in organizing the community garden. (Middle row, right) Healthy City Fall River coordinator Dave Weed displays the garden sign along with Ed. (Bottom row, left) Lina Rebelo of BMC HealthNet Plan, who donated funds for a garden tool shed stands in front of the the sign over the door. (Bottom row, right) Thirteen-year-old Daryl Parrent is joined by Doolan Apartment residents for a lunch following the event.