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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10/30/2014 12:00:00 AM CENTRAL
Updated: 10/30/2014 11:17:09 AM CENTRAL
For more information, contact Katie Johnson.
Public Input Sought on Long-Term Master Design for Community Garden

University of Minnesota Research & Design Team will also contribute to November 6th Session

 

 

(FERGUS FALLS, Minn.) – Lake Region Healthcare’s wellness project “Lake Region Takes Root” (LRTR) is wrapping up its second season at the 1.5 acre community garden in Fergus Falls with an important long-term planning initiative.

 

Funded by Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, the University of Minnesota’s Center for Sustainable Building Research (CSBR) is creating a Master Plan for Lake Region Takes Root including future phases and ongoing infrastructure projects such as a packing & receiving shed and handicapped accessible gardening spaces. “The goal is to provide Lake Region Takes Root community garden with a sustainable plan to help keep it successful for many years to come,” said Virajita Singh from the CSBR. “We can make that plan even better by getting community input toward ideas for achieving sustainable practices such as square foot gardening, composting, rain water harvesting, volunteer programs and more,” she added.

 

“We’ve been afforded a wonderful opportunity to create a master plan using expertise from the University of Minnesota College of Design that we desire as much community input as possible to make it the best plan possible for years to come”, said Jason Bergstrand, LRTR Garden Project Coordinator.  “In 2013, we grew 1,600 # of produce that impacted 1000 individuals. In 2014, we have grown approximately 4,500 # and counting while impacting 3,313 individuals,” he added. “This is making a difference and is only just the beginning in terms of the number of people we can reach and the amount & quality of food we can provide to families in need and improve community health.”

 

The design team will unveil their initial design concepts and sustainability plan at a public meeting on November 6th.  The public is invited to come and share further input in order to develop the long-term master plan. The meeting will be held in the lower level conference room of Lake Region Healthcare’s hospital building from 5 to 6:45pm on Thursday, November 6th. It is free and open to anyone interested in the project. Light refreshments will be served.

 

The public is also invited to visit another wellness project of LRH before the meeting at the Mehl Center’s Health & Wellness Hub across Cascade Street from the Hospital. The Hub will be holding a grand re-opening on the 6th from 11 to 1:30 and from 4:30 to 6:30 with tours of the remodeled facility, healthy refreshments, prizes & gifts.

 

For more information on the garden’s Long Term Master Design Session contact Jason Bergstrand at Jason.bergstrand@co.clay.mn.us or 701.306.5280.

 

 

About Lake Region Healthcare

Lake Region Healthcare is living out its vision to be Minnesota's preeminent regional healthcare partner. With over 80 medical staff and over 900 employees, its team is dedicated to serving its patients and community with integrity, teamwork, compassion and excellence. For more information about Lake Region Healthcare, visit www.lrhc.org.

 

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