Columbia Opens Joseph S. Azar Community Garden to Honor Local Hero

Columbia Celebrates New Community Garden Dedicated to Local Hero

Hey there, Columbia! Last Friday, November 15, our fair city came together to celebrate the grand opening of the Joseph S. Azar Community Garden, nestled right in T.S. Martin Park, located in the vibrant Edgewood neighborhood. It was a heartwarming day filled with excitement, and a whole lot of community spirit! City Councilman Edward McDowell, along with local notables Ed Brogdon, Tommie Martin McMillan, and William Akel, were all there to cut the ribbon and kick off this fantastic new project.

Remembering Joseph S. Azar

Now, who is this garden named after? Well, Joseph S. Azar was more than just a local guy. A proud native of Columbia, he attended our public schools and went on to study at the University of South Carolina. But it didn’t stop there! While still a student, he kicked off two businesses in the bustling Five Points area – the Cyclist (which has transformed into the Cycling Center) and Upstairs Audio. Joseph was passionate about making a difference in his community. He even founded Rolling Readers of the Midlands, a non-profit that helped children with literacy through tutoring. His leadership roles in organizations such as the Columbia Sertoma Club really showcased his devotion to serving others. His life was all about SERvice TO MAnkind, and now his legacy lives on through this beautiful garden.

A Community Effort

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Councilman McDowell shared how the garden is a fitting tribute to Azar’s dedication to community togetherness and beauty. Residents and students from W.A. Perry Middle School and C.A. Johnson High School will be rolling up their sleeves to grow vegetables with the inspirational slogan, “You can only harvest what you plant”. How uplifting is that?

Ed Brogdon, the mastermind behind the project and the director of horticulture at Holy Angels in Belmont, North Carolina, had a special bond with Joseph Azar, having met him back in 2012. The two shared a vision of bringing people together through gardening. When Azar had a dream to establish a community garden on his property, he turned to Brogdon. Unfortunately, when they proposed the site back then, it didn’t get the green light from the city. Sadly, Azar lost his battle with cancer in 2019. But in 2023, Brogdon met with Azar’s cousin, William Akel, and reignited that dream.

Building the Dream

The fall of 2024 saw Brogdon leading the charge for building the new raised bed garden, enlisting the help of Dexter Ashford, a local farming expert, and Antonio Roberson, a talented local chef. Both of them were instrumental in getting the garden off the ground. This garden isn’t just a piece of land to grow food; it’s also a learning space! Ashford, with his agribusiness degrees, will guide faculty members in weaving gardening into their curriculums, while Roberson will help students prepare and share their harvests.

A Delightful Celebration

The joyous day wrapped up with students from Heyward Career and Technology Center showcasing their culinary skills by serving up refreshments during the dedication ceremony. After the ribbon was cut, visitors eagerly toured the new garden, brimming with potential and promise.

Join in the Fun!

If you’re excited to get a taste of what the new Azar Community Garden has to offer, you can swing by for a tour! It’s open to the public from Monday through Friday at 2700 Edison Street in Columbia, 29204. Come on down and see a little piece of our community’s heart and soul at work!