Restorative community gardens - what are they? How do they meet our psychological, physical and social needs? For years gardens have been restorative for many people, including people with physical and mental disabilities, and Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Restorative gardens are currently being used by hospitals and in other settings around the world. The design of these gardens allows people to reduce stress, enhance energy, improve motor skills and increase self-confidence. They create beneficial environments for our minds and spirits. Learn more about restorative gardens October 24 with Daniel Winterbottom: - Hear about Daniel's work on restorative gardens in Tacoma, Seattle, New York and Bosnia. - Find out how, why and where we can create restorative community gardens here in Pierce County. WHAT: Slide show, group discussion, community garden walk-through and potluck. Drinks, plates, utensils provided - help reduce waste by bringing a reusable plate & cup. Please still come if you don't have time to bring a dish! WHEN: October 24, 11 am - 1 pm WHERE: Manitou Community Center, 4806 S 66th St, Tacoma, WA 98409 (down the street from Manitou Park & Elementary, on the 53 bus route) Please RSVP by October 20 to Marianne at (253) 798-3823 or mseifert@tpchd.org FYI: A link to Professor Daniel Winterbottom's Curriculum Vita: http://larch.be.washington.edu/People/faculty/dan/dan.php His wonderful articles "Casitas, Healing the Wounds of Displacement" (scroll down): http://www.jmecology.com/volumeindex.aspx?vid=111 and "Landscapes of Compassion: In Guatemala, Gardens of Hope:" http://www.asla.org/lamag/lam08/february/landscapes.html Link to American Horticultural Therapy Association Definitions and Positions: http://www.ahta.org/documents/Final_HT_Position_Paper_updated_409.pdf Community Garden Act of 2009 Link to bill and more: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-3225 Link to article on bill: http://www.cityfarmer.info/?p=1908 Please forward! My apologies for cross-postings. Thank you - Marianne On behalf of the Manitou Community Center Community Garden and the Pierce County Coalition for Environmental Health Priorities Marianne Seifert Environmental Health Program Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department 3629 South D Street, MS 320 Tacoma, WA 98418-6813 mseifert@tpchd.org 253.798.3823 ************************************************************************************* This e-mail and any attachments may contain confidential and privileged information. It has been scanned for viruses. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail, delete this e-mail and destroy any copies. Any dissemination, use, review, disclosure, or distribution of this information by a person other than the intended recipient is unauthorized and may be illegal. **************************************************************************************