Unity Gardens, South Bend Mishawaka Leadership to create inclusive garden

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – As spring approaches, gardeners will soon be out planting, pruning, watering, and more, but for people with mobility limitations, like being in a wheel chair, those tasks can be difficult.

That’s why Unity Gardens, in partnership with South Bend Mishawaka Leadership, is breaking ground on a project Friday that will create an accessible garden.

The garden will feature an art wall, accessible work benches, cement pathways, wheelchair beds, a variety of plants, and a keyhole garden. It will be located at Unity Gardens on Prast Boulevard.

It is expected to be finished in May.

The two organizations say they want to make gardening more inclusive to those in Michiana.

“My mother has multiple sclerosis and is wheelchair bound so it was something that was close to me because she would love to be able to come and take part in some of the fresh fruits and vegetables that they have here at the garden,” said Jennifer Liddell with South Bend Mishawaka Leadership.

“The features make it easier for the people that maybe rely on wheelchairs for mobility to go under a raised bed and actually either harvest or work in a raised bed so there will be a number for those,” said Sara Stewart of Unity Gardens.

Donations are being collected to help pay for the garden. Click here to make a donation.