INNISFAIL – Elaine Brown and her husband always loved to garden before arriving in Innisfail.
The former Bowden residents were avid gardeners at their previous home and were excited when they heard there would be an opportunity to garden at Autumn Grove, the town’s new retirement and assisted living facility.
“We were really pleased when they said they were going to do this,” said Brown. “We always had gardens. I love the flowers. It’s definitely a passion for my husband. I was really happy when they gave us one.”
Today there are 18 raised garden beds adjacent to the green space outside Autumn Grove’s parking lot.
Brown is growing carrots, radishes, onions, and flowers in her garden bed.
“I watch when I come out there's always ladies from the assisted living site. They don't have gardens anymore,” said Brown. “And so, they they're out here looking at everybody's plants and they're enjoying it.”
What is also interesting is the Sustainable Site Design signage around the raised gardens.
There’s one for outdoor spaces that emphasize the benefits of gardens as an outdoor gathering space for people to socialize and how it can increase their standards of living.
“Raised planters allow everyone access to enjoy gardening, which in turn creates a stronger connection to nature,” said the sign.
There is other Sustainable Site Design signage that detail the benefits of rainwater management and reducing light pollution.
