Sherry Ogar officially opens NACL's community garden on Maxey Rd. known as 'Ann & Darryl's Garden.' Ogar's late brother Darryl was one of the first clients of NACL. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

down and dirty

Local non-profit sprouts accessible community garden

May 26, 2022 | 5:43 AM

NANAIMO — While small in stature, a new community garden is expected to make a big impact.

Nanaimo Association of Community Living (NACL) unveiled a community garden at a grand opening celebration on Wednesday, May 25 at its Maxey Rd. supportive housing site.

The garden is tended by NACL clients, who were planting vegetables and watering plants at the enclosed garden.

“Being able to get our wheelchairs in there and for people to be able to reach the beds was an idea from the staff and the persons served,” Gretchen Brown of NACL said, who manages their. Maxey Rd. home.

Numerous flower pots, raised garden beds and a hard-packed gravel surface enabling easy access for those in wheelchairs highlight the eclosed space.

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NACL clients take a break from planting and watering new crops at the non-profits new community garden. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

NACL day program coordinator Niki Stuart was busy ensuring their clients were familiarized with the space and the responsibilities of seeing the garden flourish.

Currently potatoes, broccoli and peas among numerous crops are in the early growing stages.

Stuart said their new venture will help reinforce valuable lessons surrounding gardening skills and food security.

“Our day program group will be harvesting what we’ve planted and we’ll be taking it back to the day program for either our hot lunch program or morning snack.”

Stuart noted a horticulture therapist will help fuse the physical and mental health benefits of watching a garden flourish under their watch.

She said the wider community will be able to benefit from the garden.

“You can come in here any time of the year and there will be something to look at, touch or taste,” Stuart said.

Several custom made raised flower beds make gardening more accessible for wheelchair-bound NACL clients. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

NACL partners with numerous local employers and non-profit organizations in the food-growing space, including Nanaimo Foodshare.

NACL is a 36-year-old society which overseeing 10 supportive group homes, day programs and more than 100 home share arrangements for adults with developmental disabilities in the Nanaimo area.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes