RBC | In February 2023, White River Village was awarded a grant from the Colorado Garden Foundation to build raised garden beds for its residents to plant and maintain.
On Tuesday, July 25, 2023, a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the official opening of the gardens. Residents have been hard at work gardening the raised beds since spring.
Buck Tull showed off his beans that are growing strong. Resident Tammy Anders beamed as she described benefits to her mental health and physical stamina. Each morning around 6:15 a.m., Anders and other residents, including Barbara Urbanik and Suzanne Tornell, gather to work in their gardens. Anders is especially proud of her sugar-baby watermelon. The beds are engineered with drip irrigation to aid in their care.
The beds are arranged in a rectangular perimeter, and a small island in the middle holds two beds. Adjacent to the gardens is the gazebo, where residents can sit and enjoy the beauty of their work.
White River Village Manager Janet Miller and Town of Rangely Engineer Jocelyn Mullen traveled to Denver to accept the grant at the 2023 Colorado Garden and Home Show. The Colorado Garden Foundation funds projects throughout the state, and in its 64 years, the corporation has funded more than $12 million. The grant covers tree and planting purchases, healing, community gardens, and educational and research opportunities.
The residents of White River Village are soaking up the benefits of the raised garden beds with joy.
BY KATIE FAYE KING
Special to the Herald Times
