An initiative by Regis University students to improve and strengthen relationships with their community neighbors comes to fruition beginning Oct. 3 when more than 30 students, nearly the same number of Berkeley community residents and several University faculty and staff break ground on the Regis University Berkeley Community Garden.

The groundbreaking is set for 9 a.m., Saturday at a Regis University vacant property ( 5242 Lowell Blvd.) located adjacent to the northern edge of the Regis University Lowell (main) campus.

The project also involves Denver Urban Gardens (DUG), who according to Sharon Booton, Regis University's representative for the effort, have been responsible for providing resources and making it happen. DUG staff will lead the workday and provide tools and instruction for volunteers. Regis University's Physical Plant, which provided support and expertise in developing the lot, will work with DUG to provide water to the gardens

The 19,939 square feet or .46 acre vacant lot will be divided into 24 plots. The garden plots will be shared with Regis University students and members of the Regis University or Berkeley communities.

Following the groundbreaking ceremony, participants will begin transplanting trees and bushes and prepping the grounds for planting in the spring, marking the beginning of a nearly 4 hours work day which ends at 1 p.m. Work will focus on cleaning up existing vegetation including transplanting existing lilac bushes and shrubs, trimming vegetation to accommodate a new entry path, and planting two new trees.

The Regis University Student Government will provide water, breakfast burritos and lunch. Regis University will provide coffee, juice and sodas for the work day.

In addition to bringing together Regis University students and the local community, a percentage of the produce from the community garden will go back to the community through area food banks. Regis University's Biology Department will also use the community garden as a teaching tool.

According to Amy Graybill, who is helping to orchestrate the effort, the community garden will be created in three phases: soil preparation, water line and pathway creation in late fall or early spring, and building fences and anything else requiring vertical installation. The creators of the community garden also see an extensive future for the garden that includes gathering spaces with benches, a storage shed for garden tools, green house, fruit trees for small orchard and a community gathering place to display art.

"This is a great opportunity for students to gain some experience gardening or just to see how gardens are maintained," said Catherine Kleier, director of Environmental Studies/Science Program and assistant professor of Biology. "I also hope that part of the area around the garden can be used as a native plant demonstration garden."

Those interested in participating or to obtain more information can call Graybill at 303-458-4965 or e-mail her at agraybil@regis.edu.