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Oneida Square Project Community Garden unveiled in Utica

By WKTV News

Story Created: Jul 27, 2012 at 5:12 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jul 27, 2012 at 5:21 PM EDT

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - A Utica church is on a mission to make the neighborhood around it a better place to live and on Friday, it unveiled it's own "community garden."

The Cornerstone Community Church is located on Plant Street, and now, right around the corner from it, on Henry Street, is a space for kids and adults, called "The Oneida Square Project Community Garden."

The church bought the vacant property from the city and has also refurbished four rundown homes in the neighborhood.

"Owner-occupied is what we're really going for," said Mike Ballman of Cornerstone Community Church. "To have people who actually care about the neighborhood, vested in the neighborhood and work with the city and the police department to reduce crime, make it cleaner, nicer and have property values go up."

A bouncy house was brought in for the grand opening, but once it's gone, there will be a play area for the kids.

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