COLUMBIA, SC – The Joseph S. Azar Community Garden at T.S. Martin Neighborhood Park has officially opened its doors to the public.
City Councilman Ed McDowell expressed the significance of the garden, stating, “This garden showcases the hard work of both seniors and children. It symbolizes our community and the city as a whole as we continue to grow and thrive together.”
The new garden will serve a dual purpose: it will provide fresh vegetables for community members and serve as a hands-on learning space for students from nearby schools, including W.A. Perry Middle School and C.A. Johnson High School. The guiding idea for the garden is "You can only harvest what you plant."
Tommye Martin McMillan, daughter of T.S. Martin, shared memories of her father and Mr. Azar, both of whom were dedicated to helping children. She commented, “They would be so happy to see this, as they both loved working with people. My dad dedicated his life to serving kids and developed programs to support them.”
Joseph Azar, who passed away in 2019 from cancer, had a strong belief in the value of volunteering. He even ran for city council and mayor during his lifetime. His cousin, William Akel, reflected on Azar’s generous nature, saying, “Joseph struggled to say no to opportunities, always wanting to give more than he could. His intentions came from a place of genuine care.”
The garden and park can be found at 2700 Edison Street in Columbia.
