On June 27, the Grace Dart Extended Care Centre organized a community gardening event that brought together residents, the Sustainable Development Committee, the Public Health Department, and the site team. Participants worked side by side to plant tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, eggplants, asparagus, cherries, and fresh herbs, along with flowers to attract pollinators.
Sharing time and knowledge
Throughout the event, the participants shared memories and gardening tips. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect and to benefit from the knowledge of others.
A project with many benefits
This goal of this initiative is to:
- Reduce heat islands by planting vegetation;
- Promote food security and eating local produce;
- Provide residents with a therapeutic activity that promotes motor, cognitive, and social skills;
- Support environmentally friendly practices.
A positive response
“We should definitely do that again! It reminded me of my old garden,” said one resident.
“Our seniors’ tips on positioning the plants were very impressive,” added one of the staff members.
Since it was so well received, the team is documenting the project so that it can be recreated at other CIUSSS facilities.
Thank you to all our partners
Thank you to all of our resident gardeners, the Users’ Committee, the recreation team at Grace Dart, and the Collège Sainte-Anne, which donated the plants and seedlings that brought this project to life.
