Members of Westport Community Gardens say they hope a visit from officials will prevent them from being uprooted as the Long Lots School Building Committee must decide whether to renovate an old school or build a new one, determining whether a popular garden will be paved over.

The committee that is expected to make the decision was invited to experience the greenery firsthand.

This site visit was an official public meeting, but the public was permitted to attend but not participate. As the committee chair and members went on the tour, the growers hoped the experience would impact their choice whether to place a new facility where the garden and a preserve now sit.

“It feels like a real community effort to bring people together to help raise awareness of how wonderful this place is,” said Ben Arber.