Sterling Heights is planning to open a community garden in Nelson Park

Next year, Sterling Heights residents will be able to plant fruits, vegetables and flowers in a communal setting — and get advice from expert gardeners — thanks to the opening of the city’s community garden.

Sterling Heights plans to build its first city-run community garden at James C. Nelson Park, which city residents and local groups can use. The city is in the design phase of the project at the moment. Sterling Heights also plans to make other improvements to Nelson Park, including building a butterfly house and planting trees.

Assistant City Manager Jeff Bahorski said the initiative will raise public awareness about sustainability and healthy eating.

“What we’re trying to address obviously is access to fresh food for our residents and promoting healthier diets and exercises associated with gardening,” he said.

Sterling Heights is hoping to break ground on the project in May or June and then open the garden to residents in spring 2025. Bahorski said the city has made a “commitment to sustainability,” which marked the program “Think Sterling Green”. The city is starting three initiatives as part of this program – one involving electric vehicles, one involving reforestation and one is the community garden.