KLT welcomes volunteers for Sled Hill gardening work

By Reader Staff

Kaniksu Land Trust welcomed volunteers from Panhandle Special Needs, Inc. and Gardens For Health Collaborative into the garden space at the historic Sled Hill this week to begin breathing new life and a fresh perspective into this longtime garden.

Plans are in motion to create a community garden amongst the overgrown raspberry bushes and gnarled fruit trees. The group’s vision is to establish a gathering place for community members to come together and learn about gardening from one another. Volunteers from Cedar Hills Church built a fence around the garden last summer, and there are plans to prune fruit trees, re-enforce the raspberry patch, establish garden boxes, create a resting place with benches and more.

“Any opportunity to help the land trust is wonderful,” said volunteer Michele Murphree. 

The collaborative nature of this project reflects a shared vision of empowering people to grow and share fresh produce. Volunteers recently moved five raised beds into the space with the help of PSNI and other partners.

“Nonprofits have to work together,” said volunteer Andy Kennaly.

“We’re not gardening experts, so it’s wonderful to bring in Michele and others to shape this space,” said KLT Conservation Director Regan Plumb. 

Though still in early stages, excitement is high and everyone involved looks forward to seeing the garden come to life.

“We don’t know exactly what it’s going to look like,” Plumb said, “but as a community, we’re going to build it.”