Belleville General Hospital Courtyard project

In September of 2022 the Garden Club was approached by the Belleville General Hospital asking us for help with the courtyard at the hospital. The courtyard is used by staff and patients alike, but was in a very sad state. We were asked if we could "cheer it up". We happily and resoundingly agreed to take on this project. Our essential workers are vital to our hospital and we were happy to help give them a nice place to relax in or just see from the windows. We are very grateful to Home Depot, Thrashers, Alf Curtis Building Centre, Barber's Flowers, Quinte Paint and Wallpaper and Dulux Paints for their outstanding support.

Hot, hazy and smokey! We've changed the decor in the courtyard and it is very cheery. We were honoured to receive a set of Buddhist Prayer Flags from the Drupon Lama Tsultrim Gyatso and his assistant Nyima Chukdong of the Bokar Karma Tara Ling Buddhist Temple in Belleville. The flags are printed with various prayers and, as the wind travels through the fabric, the prayers are sent upwards. They are traditionally believed to bring happiness, peace, prosperity, good fortune, health, and victory over obstacles. We've made quirky flowers for the staircase. We've added flower beds, a bird bath and a water feature. This week we placed a new big planter box, built by club member Rick K., levelled it and filled it with a beautiful yellow Columbine, liatris and creeping Jenny. We also painted a "carpet" on the paving stones in the upper level. Next steps are to paint/stain the wooden picnic tables.