From beginning, to end.

 

My Girl Scout Gold Award project addressed the dreary view outside of the Northwestern wings of the Progressive Care Center from each resident's room. I hoped to impact the environment of this area by brightening it up with whimsical truffula trees, colorful birdhouses, and a flower garden complete with butterfly bush center piece.

 

The truffula trees were a donation from the set of the 2015 Seussical the Musical production at my school and added an unusually amusing view to the courtyard. In the center of this Dr. Seuss forest is a large, white duck which previously inhabited the other end of the fence line.

 

The birdhouses were a particular treat to create. My grandfather, a carpenter when necessary, cut out all of the pieces for the birdhouses. Boy Scout Troop 128 helped me put them together complete with hammer and nails, after which my mother and I spent a day at PCC painting them along with the residents. Finally they were mounted on posts, one outside of each window along the sides of the courtyard. 

 

The flower garden is in the center of the grass in the courtyard using curved pavers to create what I refer to as a five-fingered amoeba. There a few different kinds of perennials in this garden, including a lovely butterfly bush centerpiece. 

 

Lastly, we placed a garden bench next to the walkway on the Southwestern corner for the resident of PCC to sit and enjoy their new scenery. 

 

This coming spring the butterfly bushes and the birdhouses will bring wildlife to the residents of this nursing home. My goal was to create a more upliftng environment for these people to be a part of on a daily basis.

 

Through my interviews with the residents I found that even after only a week, they have begun to enjoy looking out their window more. To inspire others to do a project like mine in their own communities I have also created this website featuring my project's story, from beginning to finish, along with an extensive gallery of photos from my project.

 

 

Don't forget to visit my ADVICE PAGE for some of the lessons I learned the not so easy way in this endeavor!