A new therapeutic garden is now open at Kiwanis Village Nanaimo, adjacent to the hospital. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

valued space

‘This is beyond my imagination:’ therapeutic garden opens at Nanaimo care home

Aug 27, 2024 | 4:30 PM

NANAIMO — A once barren patch of grass overrun by weeds is now a flourishing garden and gathering area at Kiwanis Village Nanaimo.

A little over eight weeks after crews began transforming a 3,000 square foot section of the Nelson St. property, a grand opening garden party with no shortage of smiles happened on Tuesday, Aug. 27.

Featuring a variety of plants, flowers and trees, sitting areas and paved pathways, about 50 Kiwanis residents took in the celebration, including Verelyn Murphy.

“I walk through here every night after dinner and to see it from what it was to this is beyond my imagination,” Murphy told NanaimoNewsNOW.

A gazebo in the centre of the garden is a focal point of the popular new space. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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Signage, a water fountain feature and gazebo are among other features which had been discussed for a few years and endorsed by the board of directors last fall.

While the project wasn’t formally completed until last week, Murphy said the early returns are promising for the physical and mental well-being of their community.

“You’ve got all kinds of people, you’ve got people in wheelchairs, you’ve got people who can barely see, but they can enjoy the flowers, they can smell them, they can feel them – it’s just terrific.”

Raving about the garden’s inviting and functional layout, resident Anne Emmerson said their refurbished backyard is something to be proud of.

“It’s definitely relaxing, you see it and your spirits are uplifted, it’s really great,” Emmerson said.

Additional plants are primed to be included at the Kiwanis Village Nanaimo garden, located on the property’s southwestern edge. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Registered horticulture therapist Bianca van der Stoel noted about half of the little over $100,000 project budget was covered by grant funding, while several corporate partners stepped up to supply various garden amenities.

She said one resident told her the new garden doubled the amount of time they normally spend outside.

Van der stoel said there are discussions of inviting various community groups to benefit from the space.

“Eventually we hope to invite our wider community into the space, gardening groups could some see it, children’s groups could come through; even if one day we could collaborate with the hospital and have this space for them as well,” she said.

Paved perimeter and interior paths were designed to help those with mobility challenges maximize the garden’s value. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Opinions from residents helped shape the finished product of the newly opened therapeutic garden at Kiwanis Village Nanaimo. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

KVN board director Heiko Behn cuts the opening ribbon alongside Bianca van der stoel (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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Ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes