Local Girl Scout builds “Gliding Gardens” at disc golf course
By Kendra Simpson
One St. Joseph teenager is encouraging more people to take advantage of the Bartlett Park Disc Golf course with a biodiverse and sustainable garden bed.
Grace English completed her Girl Scout Gold Award by building a raised garden bed at the Disc Golf course’s first hole. The garden is home to Missouri native plants that will bring biodiversity to the area, attract pollinators and grow back year after year.
English said she hoped this sustainable and environmentally friendly garden will also encourage more St. Joseph residents to take advantage of the free Disc Golf course in Bartlett Park.
“I talked to the Parks and Rec department because I knew I wanted to do something down here at Bartlett Park but I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do,” she said. “They kind of mentioned, like, maybe building a flower garden down here to kind of bring awareness to this area and I was like ‘You know what? That sounds kind of interesting….next thing I know, I’m building a garden bed.”
Along with helping the environment thrive, the garden also adds natural beauty to the Disc Golf Course. St. Joseph Disc Golf Club President Sayler Osborn believes it will entice more people to take advantage of the course.
“Before, you know, the course starts right here and there’s a cement pad and a tee sign and it’s just kind of is what it is,” Osborn said. “But just even little things extra like this, even though it’s a pretty good sized flower bed, it makes it so much nicer to just look at it, makes the course feel like there’s effort put into it.”
The Disc Golf Club has two leagues that meet every Wednesday and Sunday. Osborn encouraged St. Joseph residents to try out the sport and enjoy the view of the garden.
“I’m not a scientist, but I know that being outside is good for your health, good for you and real good exercise,” he said. “And, you know there’s good people around. It’s just it’s a good time for me.”
English held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the garden Sunday afternoon. Those who wish to view the garden can visit it across from Bartlett Park at the Disc Golf Course hole one.
To get involved with the St. Joseph Disc Golf Club, visit the Saint Joseph Disc Golf (SJDGC) Facebook page.
