Overview
In May 2015, Able2 established the Creekside Community Garden, located behind Able2’s Intermediate Care Facility on Old Ithaca Road in Horseheads, NY. The goal of the garden was to improve preventative health outcome, create habilitation and recreational opportunities for our individuals.
The garden is comprised of a greenhouse, a large garden (72’ x 32’), nine raised beds, wheelchair accessible raised beds, and a grove of fruit trees that include three apple trees, three blueberry bushes, two pear trees, and one honeyberry bush. The garden donates food to serve those in need through the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, Catholic Charities' Samaritan Center, and to the folks who live or work within Able2’s programs.
The success of the community garden in part is due to our community partners:
- United Way Day of Caring teams from ProAction and Corning, Inc., built wheelchair accessible garden beds along with creating accessible pathways surrounding these beds.
- Cornell Cooperative Extension provides guidance and resources to the garden.
- New York State Elks Major Projects, Inc. = provided generous funding,
- Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and Finger Lakes provided generous grant funding,
- Able2 Support Services department helped establish and keep the garden safe.
- The Neighborhood Transformation Center at 314 West Church Street in Elmira, NY is caring for a division of the large garden. They then distribute the produce through hot meals, fresh fruits, and vegetables to low-income earners, in particular to those who reside in the 14901 zip code where over 80% of the children subsist below the federal poverty line.
- Burt Beebe from Honey Bee Made. He has beehives on site for pollination and is sharing his expertise with our team.
For more information contact our Intake Coordinator at 734-7107.