City of Plantation, Florida

Nestled within the Jim Ward Community Center, the City of Plantation's Community Garden is a nature hub that exists to foster a stronger sense of community, promote healthy living, and encourage environmental stewardship. 

In this garden, the Plantation Garden Club and the City of Plantation help grow fruits and vegetables locally and encourage physical activity with gardening. The garden also serves as grounds for social connection, community building, education and mentorship through programs like out Teen Garden Club. 

If you're interested in growing sustainable agricultural practices and "greening" our City, reach out to our Jim Ward Community Center by calling (954) 585-2344. 

The City of Plantation celebrates Earth Day annually by hosting a Plant Giveaway along with a community event that boasts a variety of environmental vendors and activities for children. Our next Earth Day Celebration is set to be on Saturday, April 18, 2026. For more information please call (954) 452-2510. 

The Great Plantation Campout is an annual, family-friendly community event that offers participants a unique opportunity to experience a night of camping right in their city. Our next Great Plantation Campout will be from January 10 - 11, 2026 at Plantation Central Park.  

What It Is

• Community Camping: The event is essentially a temporary, organized campground set up in one of the city's public parks. It's designed to bring families together for outdoor fun without having to travel far.

• Family Focus: It caters primarily to families and friends who want to bond, share outdoor activities, and make memories under the stars. 

Activities Included

While activities can vary year to year, the campout often features classic outdoor traditions:

• Tents and Campsites: Participants bring their own tents and set up at designated, pre-registered campsites.

• Campfire Treats: A key part of the experience is often s'mores and food cooked over a campfire or grill.

• Entertainment: Outdoor activities and games including a night hike and other fun activities.

• Light Breakfast: A light breakfast is usually provided the following morning before check-out.

It's a popular event that requires pre-registration and is a great way for families to enjoy nature and build a sense of community right in Plantation. 

What's a BioBlitz? It's an event where community members work with park staff to create a snapshot of the variety of wildlife that can be found in our beautiful city! We use an app called iNaturalist to take pictures of plants, insects, and animals to see what wildlife is present in the park that day! BioBlitz happens nationally and takes place For more information call (954) 452-2510.

Parks for Pollinators is a national campaign to raise awareness and community involvement in the pollinator crisis through local parks and recreation and like-minded organizations. Created by National Rrecreation and Parks Association and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, during September local parks get involved and host a pollinator BioBlitz during September. Stay tuned in the Fall of 2026 to learn when our next Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz is. 

 

The Plantation Teen Garden Club is a specialized youth program that focuses on teaching teens the skills of gardening, promoting sustainability, and providing valuable community service opportunities.

It is typically run by the Plantation Garden Club and often takes place at the Plantation Community Garden located at the Jim Ward Community Center.

2025 - 2026 Teen Garden Club Information Packet

🪴 Key Features of the Teen Garden Club

• Hands-On Gardening: The primary focus is on practical, hands-on learning, where teens actively participate in growing fresh fruits and vegetables in the community garden beds.

• Ages: The program is usually designed for teenagers, often covering ages 12 to 17.

• Program Commitment: It runs for a specific season, often from October through April, meeting on a regular basis (like every other Saturday) for a couple of hours.

• Community Service Hours: A major draw for teens is the ability to earn community service hours for school requirements by attending a set number of the sessions and actively participating.

• Curriculum: Teens learn about important topics, including:

  • Gardening Skills: Planting, watering, weeding, and caring for plants.

  • Sustainability & Conservation: Understanding ecosystems, environmental conservation, and organic practices.

  • Life Skills: Teamwork, responsibility, and the "farm-to-table" process.

• Registration: Parents must register their teen at one of the Plantation Community Centers.

In short, it's a great way for teens to get outdoors, learn a valuable, practical skill, and give back to their community by helping to grow local produce.