Gardening can be therapeutic to those looking to get outside into the sunshine, especially for senior citizens who found themselves cooped up during the pandemic of 2020.

For one senior apartment complex, their garden provided therapy and much more.

In January of 2020, KCCG's Community Partner Gardens team replaced the double stacked beds at Fairmount Senior Apartments. The old beds were deteriorating after 10 years and in much need of an upgrade. The following spring, the CPG team topped off the soil and the beds were ready for gardening.

This was also the same spring that COVID-19 began spreading all over the KC Metro area and the city went into lockdown. The garden proved to be a perfect escape from indoor isolation for the seniors at Fairmount, who formed a Fairmount Garden Club 11 years ago and continue the tradition today.

Adaire Stewart has been the Service Coordinator at Fairmount for many years and she is very dedicated to her residents at the apartments and invested in seeing the garden be a success.

"The 2020 Garden Club has done an amazing job this year and I truly believe that this garden has helped to keep a lot of these residents hopes and spirits high," Stewart said.  "There was a lot of family involvement this year because it was something they could do safely outside to not only visit with their elderly and at risk loved ones, but actually help them garden. In all this uncertainty and chaos in the world right now, the Fairmount Plaza Community Garden Club has a small bit of paradise in its own back yard!"

This past year has been challenging but thanks to gardening, the folks at Fairmount made the best of it with one of the most bountiful gardens in its history. Well done Fairmount Garden Club!