The club partnered with other Rotary International District 7510 clubs, Rutgers University, Rutgers N.J. Agricultural Experiment Station and Rutgers Cooperative Extension in a unique, hands-on gardening program that promotes the creation of barrier-free, accessible garden spaces.
These enabling gardens can be any size, from single potted plants to customized raised planters to larger indoor and outdoor spaces where those with physical or other limitations can take advantage of the benefits gardening has to offer.
The program is targeted to residents of Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset and Union counties that make up RI District 7510, and all five counties are working towards adopting this enabling garden initiative.
The enabling garden in Mercer County is located at Mercer County Community College’s Horticultural Center. Visitors to the garden include clients of Allies, Inc., a Hamilton-based nonprofit agency dedicated to providing housing, healthcare, meaningful employment and recreational opportunities to people with special needs in the communities of their choice.
More information is online at rhrotary.org.
Lisa Peluso, Rotarians Mickey Peluso and Claudia Stepien, and American Horticultural Therapy Association president and Allies, Inc. staff member Mary Anne McMillen weed and plant at the garden located at Mercer County Community College’s Horticultural Center.The Robbinsville-Hamilton Sunrise Rotary Club is helping to create “enabling gardens.”,
