Reading Gets $42.5K Grant For Phase 2 Of Mattera Cabin Garden Project

READING, MA — The Town of Reading has received a $42,500 grant to help with Phase 2 of the Mattera Cabin Community Garden project, it was announced this week.

The funding comes from an "Accelerating Climate Resilience" Grant that was handed out by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) and the Barr Foundation. The grants help municipalities with the implementation of strategies that protect people, places, and communities from the impacts of climate change, according to the MAPC.

Reading is one of 13 municipalities in greater Boston to receive more than $800,000 in the latest round of funding. Grants range in size from $20,000 to $100,000 per project.

For Reading, Phase 1 of the Mattera Cabin Community Garden project, located at 1481 Main St., was completed this past spring.

The project, according to Andrew MacNichol, senior planner for the Town of Reading, included enhancements to the Mattera Cabin Conservation land through the addition of 15 raised garden plots, a pollinator garden area, the re-grading of pathways and sustainable water usage.

MacNichol said Phase 2 of the project will include an ADA-accessible pathway from the handicapped parking stalls to the garden plots, the addition of at least 16 4 x 8 garden plots and the development of a garden area that will be used for the Reading Food Panty and its members.

Additional improvements during Phase 2 include a roofed pavilion to provide a shaded social gathering area, installation of a rain barrel collection system, public art and an area for a future beekeeping/pollinator space, MacNichol said.

"The Mattera Community Garden offers residents the ability to utilize green space to produce local, healthy, organic foods, an opportunity to get outside on a consistent basis, as well as providing a chance to meet and connect with community members that have similar interests," MacNichol said. "We are very proud of the work and collaboration to date and are very excited to continue expanding this program."

MacNichol said that in addition to the MAPC grant, a $6,000 grant from the Reading Rotary Club also will be used for Phase 2 of the project.