Linda Relson

Chair

About Linda: I became involved with WCG in 2021 after discovering the benefits of gardening for biodiversity and incorporating native plants into local landscapes. Since then, I’ve helped establish the Pollinator Pathways Committee, including public pollinator gardens and Watertown–Cambridge Greenway maintenance initiatives. As Board Chair, I’m excited to help WCG grow its impact and expand opportunities for anyone interested in gardening—especially those without access to a yard or community garden plot. I work as a mechanical design engineer in Waltham and live in Watertown’s West End with my husband, three guinea pigs, and our dog.

Judy Fallows

Treasurer

About Judy: I’ve lived in Watertown since 1984 and am a founding board member of Watertown Community Gardens, having been part of the original leadership team that formed in 2010. I recently retired after serving as Garden Coordinator for Watertown Public Schools, a role I held since its creation in 2015. I also maintain an extensive backyard garden, growing a surprising variety of fruits and berries in a suburban setting. My grandchildren love my berries! This is my joy.

Board Members

Melinda Dennis

About Melinda: Melinda is a Watertown resident, board member of Watertown Community Gardens, and a Certified Master Gardener. She volunteers with WCG to plant and maintain pollinator gardens and co-leads invasive plant species removal events throughout the city. At home, she cultivates pollinator-friendly plants in her front-yard planting strip to inspire others to do the same. For the past three years, Melinda has also volunteered with the Watertown Farmers’ Market, supporting local farms, fresh food access, and community health.

Susan Francis

About Susan: I grew up in Massachusetts and Rhode Island and have lived in Watertown since 2015. Originally trained as a textile designer, I’ve always drawn inspiration from the patterns and growth I see in nature. I began gardening in Staten Island, learning from and sharing plants with my neighbors, and later shared a plot at the former Grove Street Garden with my daughter and grandson. I helped build beds at the first Arsenal Park location and became a co-captain at the Arsenal Apartments plot in 2018. Watching the gardens grow from bare soil to flourishing spaces has been incredibly rewarding, and I look forward to helping expand our community of gardeners and supporters.

Catherine McQuestion

About Catherine: I grew up in Waltham and have lived in Watertown since 2020. After joining the former Grove Street Community Garden in 2021 and Union Market Community Garden in 2022, I became a co-captain at UMCG. I’ve always loved gardening, with a particular interest in cut flowers, and I now work on an organic vegetable farm in Concord. Serving on the WCG board and as a garden co-captain has allowed me to build relationships with neighbors and give back to my community.

Pam Phillips

About Pam: Pam Phillips grew up in California, and has lived in Watertown since 1996. Over the years, her gardening goals have shifted from planting for human pleasure, to adding food plants for wildlife, to adding anything that bees liked, to focusing on native plants for native bees. She had a plot at Grove Street for much of its existence, where she learned that growing a significant amount of food takes a lot of work. She did have some success with overwintering plants. In 2014, she helped start Friends of Bees. In 2025, she received certification from Umass Amherst as a Pollinator Steward. And in 2026, Friends of Bees are flying into Watertown Pollinator Pathways.stewardship.

Naomi Shea

About Naomi: Originally from Minnesota, I have called Watertown home since 2001. I spent six years as a farmer and greenhouse supervisor at Waltham Fields Community Farm and have remained active in its community for nearly two decades. I helped launch the school garden at the Hosmer School and continue to support local school garden initiatives. At home, I tend a small garden of herbs, flowers, and vegetables, and enjoy cooking with fresh, local produce. I’m excited to join the Watertown Community Gardens Board and help cultivate community through gardening.