Eenhoorn Community Gardens Update
Spring, 2021
Expanding Our Scope
With summer in the near future, our residents are gearing up for a season of fresh air, growing food, and getting to know their neighbors. The 2020 growing season pilot project at Windridge Apartments and Westminster Meadows Senior Living demonstrated that residents of all ages enjoy the many benefits of gardening such as nutrient dense food, learning new cooking skills, spending times outdoors, and physical exercise.
Expanding Our Scope
With summer in the near future, our residents are gearing up for a season of fresh air, growing food, and getting to know their neighbors. The 2020 growing season pilot project at Windridge Apartments and Westminster Meadows Senior Living demonstrated that residents of all ages enjoy the many benefits of gardening such as nutrient dense food, learning new cooking skills, spending times outdoors, and physical exercise.
Locally Grown
To provide the healthiest possible plants specific to each garden, the Eenhoorn Support Center “Solarium” in Downtown Grand Rapids, MI has been renovated to be a fully functional grow room. All plants will be grown organically using local seeds and soil to support nearby nurseries and farms. Plant types have been determined for each property using a survey where residents chose their favorite produce to grow and eat.
Growing Community Engagement
In continuation of the 2020 pilot garden structure, the community gardens will function as a shared space for interested residents. Unlike the traditional “rent-a-plot” method of community gardening, we have found that a shared space reduces the barriers of participation from residents. With tools and plants provided, residents and their families need only to show up to get involved.
Shared garden times are not limited to just planting & harvesting. Resident involvement includes compost education, growing pollinator gardens and flowers, making homemade critter repellent, and creating garden decorations. Later in the season, Eenhoorn offers grilling days and picnics to celebrate the harvest.
After a successful first year, we are excited to bring this opportunity to more properties. Maaike Baker, Community Gardens Coordinator for Eenhoorn, will be partnering directly with Michigan property staff and residents and will offer remote support and guidance as we establish gardens at our properties out of state. Additional gardens will be at Pineridge Apartments (MI), Wellington Woods Senior Living (MI), Arrowhead Apartments (MI), Briarwood Apartments (MI), Rosewood Villas Senior Living (WI), and the Inn at Woodbridge Senior Living (CA).
Locally Grown
To provide the healthiest possible plants specific to each garden, the Eenhoorn Support Center “Solarium” in Downtown Grand Rapids, MI has been renovated to be a fully functional grow room. All plants will be grown organically using local seeds and soil to support nearby nurseries and farms. Plant types have been determined for each property using a survey where residents chose their favorite produce to grow and eat.
Growing Community Engagement
In continuation of the 2020 pilot garden structure, the community gardens will function as a shared space for interested residents. Unlike the traditional “rent-a-plot” method of community gardening, we have found that a shared space reduces the barriers of participation from residents. With tools and plants provided, residents and their families need only to show up to get involved.
Shared garden times are not limited to just planting & harvesting. Resident involvement includes compost education, growing pollinator gardens and flowers, making homemade critter repellent, and creating garden decorations. Later in the season, Eenhoorn offers grilling days and picnics to celebrate the harvest.
Community gardens for residents are just one facet of Eenhoorn’s expansive property sustainability initiative. We also provide materials to new residents that educate them on the ways they can conserve resources. Eenhoorn also offers electric vehicle chargers and a bikeshare program at select properties. In the next few years, properties are planning to implement compost collection to divert food scraps from landfills. Additionally, residents will plant native landscaping to aid in rainwater retention and watershed health.
We are looking forward to another successful season of sustainable gardening at new locations. As we continue to expand our community garden project, we are excited to provide residents with new and engaging opportunities to live sustainably.
