Last modified: Sunday, May 11, 2008 1:21 AM EDT Mary LaTremouille, of Attleboro, ties up the fence around her garden plot. (Staff photo by Mike George) Greening of Attleboro feted BY REBECCA KEISTER SUN CHRONICLE STAFF ATTLEBORO How do you say happy birthday to a garden? A cake frosted in flowers and butterflies, garden hoe favors, and an outdoor ceremony are a good way to start. And on Saturday, as a couple of dozen city residents, the mayor and its founders gathered to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Attleboro Area Community Garden, smiles bloomed for the occasion. "We are so, so proud to be here today," said Ted Leach, president of the Attleboro Land Trust, which co-sponsors the garden with the city. "We so much appreciate the hard work and foresight of so many people." On an overcast and slightly chilly May morning, those who have worked to make the garden grow were happy to honor its inception and to offer support for its continued contributions to the community. "It's so promising to see," said Mayor Kevin Dumas. "We're recognizing this is here to stay, and we're looking to expand for years to come." The garden was started 10 years ago, carved out of a parking lot at the corner of Mechanic Street and Riverbank Road, and it has since become a place where city residents grow vegetables and flowers. Leach said Saturday was a celebration not only of having a place where residents of every background can form relationships with each other, but also of the fact that the city is moving toward the future. "I'd like to congratulate you all in taking us back to the future," Leach said. "We have to think about the global situation, but we have to act locally. The importance of this is really quite dramatic." REBECCA KEISTER can be reached at 508-236-0336 or at rkeister@thesunchronicle.com.