A sustainable garden project lifts the spirits of high rise residents
A garden can provide many health and wellbeing benefits, from growing vegetables and plants, encouraging exercise to creating a place to reflect and unwind. With these benefits in mind, the elderly residents of a public housing estate in Footscray were keen to turn over a new leaf and nurture a sustainable garden of their own. And so the Gordon Street Garden Project was born.
The project, which commenced in 2007, was primarily created to encourage residents to grow vegetables, undertake moderate exercise and maintain social activities. An initiative of the Western Region Health Centre, the garden is part of a program specifically designed to provide support to older people living in public high rise. Aged 55 or over, the residents come from a range of backgrounds, and many live with chronic diseases and disabilities that require care.
The proposed location for the garden, at the base of the high rise in Footscray, presented a number of challenges such as contaminated soil and exposure to strong winds. The team, however, came up with some innovate solutions: large plastic produce bins, commonly found at farms and commercial fruit and vegetable markets, were used to provide the individual garden beds. A shelter was built against the wind. This was also positioned to collect rainwater for a tank.
We were approached to assist with the supply and fitting of the tank within the garden. We provided funding for two rainwater tanks and compost bins from our Community Support Fund.
The garden was officially launched in September 2007 as part of housing week and the Minister for Housing Richard Wayne attended. The Gordon Street Garden Project also featured on ABC Stateline demonstrating the positive outcomes the garden had brought to the residents with a strong focus on health and sustainability.