"The country is both the philosopher's garden and his library. It is his food, as well as learning. A sweet and natural retreat from noise and talk, and allows opportunity for reflection, and gives the best subjects for it." - Horace 20 B.C.

The Macoskey Center has had a history of developing partnerships with various organizations both within the university and surrounding community. Through these partnerships, various staff at the Center, led by Director, Thomas Reynolds, have been working with the Institute for Community Service-Learning and NonProfit Leadership on the community gardening project in New Castle.

Director of the Institute, Alice Kaiser-Drobney developed this idea in a neighborhood in New Castle that was in need of a community center. The Center has passed through design phases, which will utilize green building technologies, but procurement of funding is still continuing. Besides constructing the actual community center to offer various afterschool programs for child, adult education opportunities, and various other outreach programs, the site had opportunity for a community garden area. The Macoskey Center were the perfect partners for this idea to help establish an organic garden are for members of the neighborhood to grow fresh, healthy vegetables for their family.

Initial construction of the garden included a design by MS3 graduate, Jennifer Lauzon. This design was implemented during the summer of 2002. Development included excavation and digging of garden plot areas planted with cover crops, planting of several fruit and nut trees, building of flower plants used along the perimeter of the property, and creation of a children's reflection area with several stools made by neighborhood children. The garden was dedicated in 2002.