Greenhouse Renovations
With financial support from the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program, we’re well on our way to having a safe, dry, comfortable and wheelchair accessible greenhouse. This work was carried out by volunteers, many themselves seniors, under the direction of Red Seal Carpenter, Eldon Toner, himself a senior.
The old, leaky plastic was removed from the larger of our two greenhouses and replaced with a new waterproof covering. The raised threshold was removed to provide barrier free access and some rotten sills were replaced at the same time.
Matt Furlotte brought his mini excavator and leveled the greenhouse floor. He then dumped and smoothed loads of crusher dust, which was tamped down to provide a smooth surface.
The exterior received a fresh coat of paint, as did the adjacent greenhouse, which wasn’t remodelled. Steve Heard, who led the painting project, didn’t want the little greenhouse to feel left out.
We’ll soon be building workbenches along one side of the interior of the greenhouse. The benches will have stepped down areas, so wheelchair users, or those who wish to sit while working, can be active participants in potting up and transplanting, as well as workshops that are held within the greenhouse.
Accessible Planters
With financial support from the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program, we’re well on our way to offering an improved Garden experience to persons with mobility impairments. These enhancements are being carried out by volunteers, many themselves seniors, under the direction of Red Seal Carpenter, Eldon Toner, himself a senior.
We’re constructing two types of raised garden beds. The first batch, which have been completed, will be stationed trailside and planted with flowers in the adjacent gardens, which do not yet have accessible access. Visitors will be able to roll or walk right up to these planters.
The second batch will be built at a lower height and with wheelchair access, providing an opportunity for members, volunteers and staff with mobility impairments to actively participate in different aspects of gardening – including weeding!
Mapping the Garden
Through the generosity of Stantec, the Fredericton Botanic Garden Association is looking forward to having detailed map layers to better inform our planning and execution efforts. Over the latter part of 2024 and the start of 2025, Stantec will be developing topographic and hydrologic layers for the Garden, as well as layers showing locations of important features such as art installations and memorial/tribute benches and trees.
