From rows of ripe watermelon and strawberries mixed with colorful columns of tomatoes, spinach, corn and squash; to the smell of herbs such as sage, oregano and cilantro and to the various art projects placed throughout the yard, Miss Mary’s Garden aims to be more than just an educational experience, but a space for introspection, healing and holistic wellness.
Through the collaboration of the Center of Wellness for Urban Women (CWUW) and other organizations such as Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Miss Mary’s Garden has become a community base for retreat and education.
“I think it’s awesome to utilize empty spaces around the city and country for gardening,” said Neal Bennett, president of Green Broad Ripple. “You lower your food miles that way, the cost is cheaper, the quality of vegetables is better and it’s better for the environment.”
Miss Mary’s Community Garden, located on 2447 Bond St., was built by the CWUW in 2010 as an educational resource for the Westside neighborhood. According to the CWUW, the garden was created to focus on Dr. Bill Hettler’s, co-founder of the National Wellness Institute, seven dimensions of wellness: physical, environmental, intellectual, social, emotional, occupational and spiritual and will be a hub for education.
“The vegetable garden is for garden education, food sustainability, and teaching people about local foods,” said Rhonda Bayless, founder and executive director of CWUW. “We really want people to get outside and learn about gardening. We want people to learn about different fruits and vegetables.”
The garden is at the home of Miss Mary L. Kinchlow, now deceased, a gardener and former owner of Mary’s Lunch Room on Indiana Avenue. Bayless said Kinchlow represented how to live successfully through the seven dimensions and is proud to be able to develop a place for women to learn balance and well-being in her name.
Like other urban and community gardens, Miss Mary’s Garden gives patrons an opportunity to produce something authentic and give those who might not normally interact, a chance to connect and create a sense of community among neighbors and volunteers.
“I watch people and the reaction on their faces – especially those who don’t have experience – is exciting to see,” said Bennett. “They learn to grow their own food. They beautify their places and neighborhoods and in the end have a better connection with neighbors.”
The garden is not just a place to grow vegetables, but is a habitat to improve health with the new addition of a Wellness Area.
“We use the garden as therapy,” said Bayless. “It’s really good for the mind and the body because you get a chance to connect with the environment again.”
The Wellness Area consists of a trail made of bricks with motivating messages painted by volunteers, clients of the nearby Damien Center, and neighbors. In the area is a Health Circle, which offers an artistic space for retreats, group activities and exercise.
“A lot of people don’t get a chance to come outside and enjoy themselves,” said Bayless. “For example, the process of pulling weeds can be very therapeutic. People even name them so they feel some sort of way when they yank them out,” laughed Bayless.
Neighbors and visitors are encouraged to visit and volunteer, connect with one another and continue to create nutritional produce.
“We see that garden as a community base so whoever is working that day, that day it’s their garden,” Bayless said. “We see it as another added element that the community can utilize so it adds to the charm of the neighborhood.”
For more information about visiting or volunteering in Miss Mary’s Garden, contact Rhonda Bayless at info@cwuwonline.org.
