A Shared Vision for Our Sacred Spaces
Sisters who live “on the Hill” in Louisville had a vision. A vision to continue to nurture our common home and provide a holistic landscape for the area surrounding the Nazareth Home apartments. A vision for all-season beauty and diverse foliage. A vision of natural cycles, less formal designs, and the use of native plants. A vision of organic over synthetic products, of edible gardens, and of floral displays.
So, with input from the Sisters on the Hill in Louisville, Sister Sharon Gray, Sister Lisa Polega, and Cole Sites (community service maintenance coordinator) set out to create a plan. A proposal that would incorporate ideas from the Sisters who live there. A design that would transform outdoor spaces through continued collaboration and Sister involvement. A strategy that revitalizes landscapes by rethinking conventional practices and adopting a holistic, ecological approach.
To bring the vision to life, outside sources were brought in to assist. Elizabeth Kuhn with Backyard Botanicals provided the landscape designs and installation. Ryan Lewis with City Tilth and Trees removed the old plants, prepared the soil, and mulched.
But before all that got started, Sister Lisa, Sister Sharon, and Cole met often during the springtime planning period. Sister Sharon spoke to each Sister to get their input. The group shared their findings with the contractors and finally presented the plan to the Sisters (which was received with a round of applause!).
” I think Sharon having those one-on-one conversations with the Sisters was crucial to the success of the project,” said Cole.