Intergenerational bonds bloom

Village resident Jennifer Huntington tends the Intergenerational Garden during a gardening event. The garden is on the lawn behind the Intercultural Center and Commuter Cottage. Photo by Caitlin Orsino

Lasell aims to build intergenerational connections through campus activities and academic classes held in Lasell Village. One opportunity to get involved in an intergenerational activity is through the Intergenerational Garden.

This garden is a collaboration between residents of Lasell Village and the children from The Barn, Lasell’s early childhood learning center. This collaboration takes shape through the revival of the Intergenerational Garden, a long, ever evolving project. The Intergenerational Garden has a history in community-building.

Revitalized in 2022 as part of an Earth Day initiative, the garden became a lively gathering space for students, faculty, Village residents, and children from the Holway Early Childhood Center. Started by student leader Angela Buoncore ‘22, in partnership with the Student Government Association (SGA) and Lasell Village, the project aimed to restore the garden beds, plant new crops, and create a space where all generations could connect through shared purpose.

Since then, some of the members of Lasell Village have decided that they want to elevate the garden and begin the process of adding in new raised beds and other essentials to make the garden a successful space. “When I moved to [Lasell Village] from Berkeley, Calif, in 2018, I didn’t know anything about the [Intergenerational Garden],” Lasell Villager Tricia Swift said. “But I did come with knowledge and appreciation of Alice Waters’ [of Chez Panisse and California cooking fame] efforts to develop ‘Edible Schoolyards’ so children and students could learn about growing and tending and eventually cooking and eating good healthy garden produce.”

All ages are welcome to join in with helping the Intergenerational Garden to flourish. Photo by Caitlin Orsino

In the past, the garden has been a source of enjoyment and relaxation for many Village residents. It has provided an opportunity to not only grow fresh produce but also to expand relationships across age groups, creating memories and bonds that will last a lifetime. Gardening itself offers a ton of benefits, both physical and mental.

Tasks such as digging, planting, weeding harvesting, and cleaning up encourage physical activity, promoting mobility and strength. Equally important are the mental health benefits. Gardening has been shown to reduce stress, ease symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve focus and motivation, and elevate overall mood.

The act of nurturing plants also increases mindfulness, provides a sense of purpose, and delivers the deep satisfaction of watching hard work bloom into tangible results. This year, the Intergenerational Garden committee hosted a kickoff event on April 22, also known as Earth Day. This event began at 10 a.m. at the RoseMary B. Fuss Center for Research on Aging and Intergenerational Studies. There were light refreshments and attendees worked on the garden. Students, nursery school children, Village residents, and faculty were invited to be a part of this unique project.