The 2017 summer season in the St. John’s area has been filled with lots of sun. That has meant a   busy and production season for our Green Team, thanks to funding from the Conservation Corps NL. The Green Team has been building, marketing, selling and installing garden boxes suitable for growing a variety of vegetables, fruit and /or herbs. Customer response has been fantastic. Said one customer, “I just wanted to let you know that we LOVE the raised garden boxes.  The team arrived on time and was led by a very enthusiastic and professional crew chief.  The boxes look great and the whole thing only took 30 minutes.”

The Green Team has also built on a successful partnership with Kings Gate Condominium (KGC). The KGC Board has provided access to land for a community garden and green space. Eastern Health has joined the partnership by providing funding from their Community Development Fund for further development of the site, including a design concept for the land that incorporates both a community garden and significant outdoor space for the use and enjoyment of condominium owners and the neighbourhood, including participants of Stella’s Circle.  The Green Team has been involved with adding additional garden boxes, including accessible ones for people with limited mobility.

While at the Kings Gate site recently, the Green Team was thrilled to welcome Sister Chrystom (Chris) Brennan.  The open space on the north east corner of the property is commonly known as Brother Brennan’s Field, originally developed and named after Brother Augustus F. Brennan, former Superintendent of the Roman Catholic School Board in St. John’s.  Sister Chris expressed her delight with the garden development which reflects her brother’s vision for the site.

This is the second year Stella’s Circle has had a Green Team and participants rave about the experience:

“I learned a lot of people skills.  A lot of the customers we met were really nice.  We had to listen to their ideas about how they wanted us to set things up.  Our crew developed really good people skills with each other too!”

“I actually found this group was a bit therapeutic.  We learned that other people have problems too, and we just adjusted to each other.  Just the planting itself was nurturing.”

“I’m proud that I made something that actually lived.”