Lewes Mayor and City Council have approved a lease for a group seeking to build a community garden on a one-acre parcel in Great Marsh Park.

As the land is owned by the state, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control still needs to give a go-ahead before any work can proceed.

Catherine Harris, founder of Lewes Community Gardeners, said the goal now is to recruit more people and raise more funds. The group’s fundraising goal is $25,000.

The group plans initially to build 20 4-by-20-foot raised beds and add up to 20 additional beds as the garden grows. If there are more people than beds available, members will be chosen by lottery, Harris said.

The goal, Harris said, is to break ground in April for May planting. 

Donations may be made payable to Lewes Community Gardeners Fund and mailed to Greater Lewes Foundation, P.O. Box 110, Lewes, DE 19958. For more information on the garden effort, call 302-463-0393 or email cather1neharris@hotmail.com.