(ABOVE) Carle Health’s Dr. Tim Meneely prepares to cut the ribbon for a new community garden near Carle at the Riverfront.
Just northwest of the new Carle at the Riverfront facility, a ribbon cutting took place Tuesday (June 20th) morning at the confluence of Logan, Madison, and Chandler Streets; marking the beginning of a community garden designed to get area residents, and especially youngsters, involved in improving the community’s overall health. Carle’s Dr. Tim Meneely said the idea is to create a network of gardens like this. He says it’s important to not just eat enough calories, but the right kind of calories.
AUDIO: One of the problems we see with the increase in high blood pressure, diabetes; particularly in adults; is that as kids people didn’t have the opportunity to get fresh vegetables. Produce that they can then cook themselves. Sometimes we don’t learn that at a young age.
Dr. Tim Meneely explains the purpose of Carle’s new community garden.
Numerous organizations were involved in putting this together. As one example, Project Success. And as Danville mayor Rickey Williams, Jr points out; kids from Project Success programs are going to be involved in planting and maintaining the garden.
AUDIO: It’s tough for them to find a space to garden because they don’t have a place. So, for them to be able to have this space that will kind of be there’s will be great.
Vermilion Advantage Executive Director Tim Dudley (center) and Sybil Mervis (right) join in the planting of tomato plants in Carle’s new community garden.
Chamber Director Nicole Van Hyfte from Vermilion Advantage says this is another natural step.
AUDIO: As you’re driving through Danville these days you just continue to see this project grow and get bigger. This is just another way for Carle to really connect with our community; with our students.
Lots of “thank yous” were given out by Dr. Meneely at Tuesday morning’s ceremony, with special thanks to the Hegeler Foundation.
