K.I. SAWYER, Mich. (WZMQ) – Both plant and community growth go hand-in-hand. Many can agree that it’s been a spectacular summer to do so. The Upper Great Lakes Family Heath Center in K.I. Sawyer is proving that, at its new ‘Health & Wellness Garden’ nicknamed the ‘People’s Garden’ on its facility grounds.
Over the past year, the project’s goal has been to allow the public to come and use the space for their own garden access, as well as serve as a gathering place for more activities.
“It’s a People’s Garden. What we mean by that is, it’s open to the public, it’s free, like a park or a playground,” said Garden Coordinator, Jamie Muffler. “We would love to have you come in and pick a few weeds, but also use it as your own. So, if you want to host a birthday party here, or just bring the kids and have a picnic, that’s really what this is all about.”
The property features both a children and pollinator garden, storage shed, composting site, and 16 garden beds with around 20 plant types already growing, which will be made available soon. The idea stemmed from a physical therapist in the building planting her own flowers outside for years.
Muffler says the space plans to not only benefit the public, but the health system’s patients as well.
“We have patients here in the building that are helping to contribute,” said Muffler. “They’re coming and doing some therapy right here in the garden, which is awesome to see.”
The space was unveiled just last week. It has been funded and supported by the Upper Peninsula Health Group and Gwinn Food System, working to build a strong staple in the area.
“We’re still learning every single day, and they’re coming and helping us with things like how to apply worm tea, how to grow nutrient, dense food,” said Muffler. “A lot of people don’t have the space to grow their own garden, or maybe they don’t have an understanding of what it means to get started, and we’re here to help with that we have workshops, education, a lot of local people helping us out.”
For more information about The Upper Great Lakes Family Heath Center in K.I. Sawyer, visit uglhealth.org.
