Intern Project Spotlight: A Community Wide Conversation of Accessibility by Ava

If you have had the chance to stop by our Community Gardens here at Pitney Meadows, you may have noticed two new raised garden beds located at the front of the garden. Right now, they are filled to the brim with veggies and flowers–be sure to check them out if you haven’t already! I could not be more excited to have brought this vision of wheelchair accessible garden beds and accessibility awareness to life with immense help from our community.

Researching Accessibility in the Community Garden

As the Community Garden Intern last summer, I began researching accessibility, focusing on socioeconomic needs, physical accessibility, and education in order to help our community overcome these barriers. In the Fall, I presented my findings, future plans, goals, and potential projects for Pitney Meadows with a presentation of my findings and future plans. Specifically, I had hopes to return to the farm in the spring and build two wheelchair accessible garden beds. That hope became a reality when I was able to start my second internship with Pitney Meadows as the Accessibility Intern this past Spring. During this internship we began a community wide conversation in order to take action and raise awareness about accessibility in our community. 

I had the opportunity to collaborate with former Board Member Rich Torkelson who created the design of the beds. Then, with the help of our wonderful volunteers Pete Carroll and Michael Dorsey, we completed building in late May. 

Collaboration, Construction, and Gathering Community Perspectives

The main goal of the internship was the building of raised beds to open the garden up for a more diverse community with people of all abilities. However, I also knew I wanted to start these conversations ultimately to get more people talking about ways to improve accessibility. I conducted a series of interviews with members of the community to learn about their perspectives on accessibility, gain insights from their experiences and highlight their voices. You are now able to find this collection of interviews, research, and more in depth building plans in the format of a zine - a mini magazine- located in the farm stand, welcome center and Community Garden tool shed. 

I am grateful to have received such strong support and encouragement from the Pitney Meadows Community. I cannot thank Pitney Meadows Community Gardens Manager, Melissa Spiegel, enough for the time she put into helping me with this project as well as the support she has given me. Thank you to Pitney’s Executive Director, Brooke McConnell, and the staff and team at the Farm. I want to thank Rich Torkelson for creating the design of the garden beds. A big thank you to the wonderful volunteers who showed continued interest along the way of this project and in building the beds, especially Pete Carroll and Michael Dorsey. 

About Ava, our 2024 Accessibility Intern

Ava is currently studying at Union College and can almost always be found in the dance studio outside of her classes. Having danced since she was four years old, it is a significant part of her life and identity. Ava also enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends. She has a passion for cooking, baking, and trying new recipes. As an avid lover of the outdoors, Ava enjoys long walks with her dog, kayaking, and swimming!