By Chelsea Zhao
University staff and student volunteers freshen the deserted garden located in the enclave between the Lewis hall buildings.
Dominican student Joe Thuma and sustainability coordinator Mary Sadofsky initiated the restoration effort. Sadofsky managed the volunteer logistics and communication while Thuma organized the priorities of gardening.
An average of 12 volunteers worked on April 17 and 24 and May 1 with a morning and afternoon shift on each day. Sadofsky said the volunteers did the labor-intensive part in weeding out the overgrown plants, clearing dead debris and ivy.
The University Ministry, sustainability committee, and Sustain DU club members contributed to the outreach work. The physical plant team on campus provided the gardening supplies.
Sadofsky pointed out the benefits of the garden work, with volunteers expressing their joy in a break from “academic demands.”. Citing research about the symbiosis between green, natural spaces and body’s reduction in stress level, Sadofsky hopes to bring out this potential of the secret garden.
“While we love that it’s a secret garden, we don’t want it to be a forgotten garden on campus” Sadofsky said.
According to Sadofsky, Thuma is also working on a proposal for the design and functionality of the physical space along with the plant selections, all for the second phase of restoration. Sadofsky said they are looking forward to creating an “easy to care for and low maintenance” design layout.
Looking forward to plans for the garden, Sadofsky listed controlling the spread of Bishop’s weed, creating an accessible community space, developing sponsorships to secure additions of flowers and furniture, and dedicating the place to Sister Jeanne Crapo, the founder of the garden.
The last restoration effort was by a local Girl Scout troop in 2008, according to records from university archivist Steven Szegedi.
qzhao@my.dom.edu
