Formerly known as Glass Gardens Greenhouse, the approximately six acres at the end of West Gambier Street in Mount Vernon has experienced a shift in land use since the nursery closed in 2010.
Now known as Community Roots, these abandoned greenhouses and fields are being used as the site of community programs that restore the historical horticultural use, while also developing educational and social programs that target community needs such as high rates of recidivism:
- Local school science standards (e.g. STEM education goals, etc.)
- Agricultural & horticultural education (eg. 4H, FFA, KCCC, OSU Extension-Knox Co, etc)
- Wilderness skills and programs (scouts, orienteering, camping, bluebird & butterfly monitoring, plant and insect identification, Natural Fit Outdoor Adventures)
- Community Health programs (e.g. TouchPointe, Hospice of Knox County, Opportunity Knox, OhioJobs, MERIT court)
Studies have shown that having natural elements in design and increasing time with nature & greenspace can:
- Lower blood pressure
- Lower rates of aggression
- Lower incidence of mental health issues (1)
- Incivilities (vandalism, foul language use, etc.) (1)
For this project we would like to partner with Hospice of Knox County Ohio and use our horticulture job training program to grow aromatic fresh herbs to create a therapeutic garden for Hospice programs.
Since August 2016, we have provided a work place for local probationers sentenced to community service hours while teaching these probationers how to propagate plants from seed and cuttings, as well as manage a greenhouse.
In May 2016, we began working with a Hospice children's grief group to plant aromatic herbs to help address as service gap formed when Hospice had to let go of their aromatherapist due to budget constraints. The children (who had all lost a parent) planted the herbs in May, and in June we were able to bring the mature plants back to Hospice during a lunchtime event at local grief camp (Camp Hope) the same grief group children were attending.
With this project specifically, we want to expand on this work and use our current community service probationers to further our direct support of Hospice programs that enrich the quality of life for care receivers as well as the hospice grief therapy programs for those who are losing and have lost loved ones.
This garden will help Hospice continue to provide fresh aromatic herbs for client meals and nutritional needs, as well as aromatherapy uses (e.g. pain management, physical comfort) at no cost to Hospice or their clients.
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