The community garden movement in America has been strong and growing. With an increased national focus on sustainability and preserving and growing local food sources, it becomes incumbent upon every community and organization to do what they can to make our earth a better place. Community gardens can be many things, but at their essence they are a way to connect the residents of the community with nature and horticulture. We have a unique opportunity to create a garden for our community that will provide a laboratory for learning about how what we eat is directly related to how we feel, and how sunshine, rain, wind, soil, water and wildlife work together to provide us with the building blocks of a healthy life.
The Community’s Garden is located on the Door County Medical Center (DCMC) campus on 16th Street in Sturgeon Bay. Along with DCMC, LAKESHORES landscape & design is an active partner in supporting the garden. Beyond the current community garden plots for families, individuals and community organizations, a future conceptual design to expand the garden has been designed and includes the following features:
- Prayer Garden
- Accessible trails through cedar “forest/wetland” area with educational stops throughout
- Rain Garden
- Large pond with native marsh plantings aerated with a bog system
- Wildlife viewing area
- Areas for themed gardens
- Council ring
- Children’s garden
- Small greenhouse/educational building that will house a space for starting seedlings, and meeting area/classroom designed for interactive learning
- Formal perennial herb garden
- Theme gardens
- Demonstration gardens for others to showcase sustainable gardening methods
- Production gardens for use in hospital kitchens
- Outdoor sculptures
Activities planned for the Community’s Garden include:
- Nutrition classes for children and families, which include learning where food comes from, promotion of a physical activity (i.e. gardening), harvesting of food, hands-on cooking and canning classes, and utilizing foods when they are in season
- Gardening classes and volunteer opportunities for children, families and Senior citizens
- Classes focusing on land and water preservation
- Small public gatherings including possible fundraising activities or other small celebrations
- Special activities for residents of the DCMC skilled nursing facility
- Physical therapy including horticultural therapy
Concept Drawing of Future Site
(click to expand)
