Community Gardens Greenhouse - Lowell, MA
Saint Patrick Neighborhood Garden
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| Growing communities from the ground up! |
St. Patrick Church, 282 Suffolk Street, Lowell, MA
Sponsored by the Parker Foundation and Saint Patrick's Parish Community
Parking is available in the church parking lot.
Sponsored by the Parker Foundation and Saint Patrick's Parish Community
Parking is available in the church parking lot.
an interest in revitalizing the garden when they were planning their 175th Anniversary celebration in 2006. Weekly
announcements were made at all the weekend Masses and published in the church bulletin. Some parishioners could not
garden, but participated by donating tools and cash. Youth groups, such as the 2007 Confirmation Class and Dracut Cub
Scout Pack 80 were recruited by church representatives and Community Gardens Greenhouse members. Additionally, CGG
personnel tried to get local residents involved by going door-to-door and handing out flyers. CGG volunteers (both adults and
kids) who worked in the Signature Garden also signed on to help.
Working sessions in the garden were held each Wednesday and Saturday from spring through September when the garden
was dedicated. Outdoor activities were planned to increase awareness of safety, litter, stewardship responsibilities of the
community. Barbecues were hosted on Wednesday evenings to treat folks who worked in the afternoon and who came
straight from work to the garden to work the evening. Donations of food, water, propane were received from multiple places
for the Barbecues.
After two or three preliminary meetings and brainstorming sessions a garden design was decided upon and sketched out.
The design sectioned the four corners of the site into four distinct garden areas all converging into the middle surrounding
the statue of St. Patrick. Church members specifically wanted to do something in the garden area in dedication to the
memory of Joseph Primeau, a lifelong member of the parish who had volunteered his time to during the 1980s by planting
and nurturing the area. The parishioners also wanted the statue of their patron saint, St. Patrick, repaired.
In 2006, the lower church sustained severe flood damage making available marble from an altar and lattice work that could
be recycled into the garden as decorative elements, benches, and stepping stones.
Site clean-up started with volunteers mowing the lawn and others removing debris and raking out the lawn. The garden
inspired a separate group of individuals to create another garden in the front of the church.
Donated bricks and recycled marble provided the hardscape edging outlining the design of the quadrants and pathways. As
the garden beds were edged, volunteers lined the inside of the bed with newspapers, then watered down the paper until it
was soaked. A few inches of econo mulch was then spread over the newspaper. The site was then left alone for 2-3 weeks
before planting.
Cub Scout Pack 80 donated their time Wednesday afternoons working in the garden. The scouts earned their Conservation
Good Turn badge which was presented to them during the dedication ceremony.
Youth from the church sanded and painted the wrought iron fence surrounding the garden.
Flowers were donated by parishioners, the Community Gardens Greenhouse, and Perennial Partners. As the flowers were
planted, a watering schedule was invoked.
announcements were made at all the weekend Masses and published in the church bulletin. Some parishioners could not
garden, but participated by donating tools and cash. Youth groups, such as the 2007 Confirmation Class and Dracut Cub
Scout Pack 80 were recruited by church representatives and Community Gardens Greenhouse members. Additionally, CGG
personnel tried to get local residents involved by going door-to-door and handing out flyers. CGG volunteers (both adults and
kids) who worked in the Signature Garden also signed on to help.
Working sessions in the garden were held each Wednesday and Saturday from spring through September when the garden
was dedicated. Outdoor activities were planned to increase awareness of safety, litter, stewardship responsibilities of the
community. Barbecues were hosted on Wednesday evenings to treat folks who worked in the afternoon and who came
straight from work to the garden to work the evening. Donations of food, water, propane were received from multiple places
for the Barbecues.
After two or three preliminary meetings and brainstorming sessions a garden design was decided upon and sketched out.
The design sectioned the four corners of the site into four distinct garden areas all converging into the middle surrounding
the statue of St. Patrick. Church members specifically wanted to do something in the garden area in dedication to the
memory of Joseph Primeau, a lifelong member of the parish who had volunteered his time to during the 1980s by planting
and nurturing the area. The parishioners also wanted the statue of their patron saint, St. Patrick, repaired.
In 2006, the lower church sustained severe flood damage making available marble from an altar and lattice work that could
be recycled into the garden as decorative elements, benches, and stepping stones.
Site clean-up started with volunteers mowing the lawn and others removing debris and raking out the lawn. The garden
inspired a separate group of individuals to create another garden in the front of the church.
Donated bricks and recycled marble provided the hardscape edging outlining the design of the quadrants and pathways. As
the garden beds were edged, volunteers lined the inside of the bed with newspapers, then watered down the paper until it
was soaked. A few inches of econo mulch was then spread over the newspaper. The site was then left alone for 2-3 weeks
before planting.
- Creating a raised bed in this fashion is easy and is a form of lasagna gardening. The newspaper and ink prevents weeds from
growing and once wet decomposes. Econo much is made of root matter which decomposes quicker than higher end mulch such as
cedar, pine, hemlock. Amendments such as compost, peat, leaf matter, manure can be added as needed.
Cub Scout Pack 80 donated their time Wednesday afternoons working in the garden. The scouts earned their Conservation
Good Turn badge which was presented to them during the dedication ceremony.
Youth from the church sanded and painted the wrought iron fence surrounding the garden.
Flowers were donated by parishioners, the Community Gardens Greenhouse, and Perennial Partners. As the flowers were
planted, a watering schedule was invoked.
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Saint Patrick Church is over 175 years old. It is the oldest church in the city of Lowell and of
historical significance. Over the course of 175 years the parish community has become
ethnically diverse. Up until the early 1970s this garden was just grass. During this time, the
pastor encouraged the Southeast Asian parishioners to use it to plant -- and they did. A little
Victory Garden was created with mostly vegetables, herbs, and some flowers. Eventually, the
garden returned to being grass only. In the mid 1980s, parishioner, Joe Primeau rounded up a
few volunteers to beautify the area. Mr. Primeau maintained the garden until an illness prevented
him from continuing.
historical significance. Over the course of 175 years the parish community has become
ethnically diverse. Up until the early 1970s this garden was just grass. During this time, the
pastor encouraged the Southeast Asian parishioners to use it to plant -- and they did. A little
Victory Garden was created with mostly vegetables, herbs, and some flowers. Eventually, the
garden returned to being grass only. In the mid 1980s, parishioner, Joe Primeau rounded up a
few volunteers to beautify the area. Mr. Primeau maintained the garden until an illness prevented
him from continuing.
This is a City Gardens Project created in 2007, sponsored by the Parker Foundation and the Saint Patrick Parish
Community. The garden was designed and developed by Community Gardens Greenhouse volunteers, the Rev. James E.
Taggart, parishioners of the church, and a small group of local residents.
This garden will be a beautiful place of serenity and rest to the parish community. It will become a part of parish life. The
finished product will provide a great space for first communion, confirmation, graduation pictures, and wedding pictures. It
can become a place of solace for parishioners and neighbors when they need to find some peace from the stress of life.
Community. The garden was designed and developed by Community Gardens Greenhouse volunteers, the Rev. James E.
Taggart, parishioners of the church, and a small group of local residents.
This garden will be a beautiful place of serenity and rest to the parish community. It will become a part of parish life. The
finished product will provide a great space for first communion, confirmation, graduation pictures, and wedding pictures. It
can become a place of solace for parishioners and neighbors when they need to find some peace from the stress of life.
In the early to mid-1990s the statue of Saint Patrick was donated as a gift to the parish in memory of the parish's Deacon
Richard Corcoran who passed away. The statue was originally located in the front churchyard. It was there that he was
broken. Kids would climb all over the statue and eventually their weight broke the hands of the statue. One hand was held
palm up with a shamrock within it, the other hand held a wooden staff. Once the hand holding the staff broke, the staff was a
goner. Though the damage to the statue may not have been deliberate, the pastor at that time, decided to have it moved into
the locked garden area in an effort to stop any further destruction.
Richard Corcoran who passed away. The statue was originally located in the front churchyard. It was there that he was
broken. Kids would climb all over the statue and eventually their weight broke the hands of the statue. One hand was held
palm up with a shamrock within it, the other hand held a wooden staff. Once the hand holding the staff broke, the staff was a
goner. Though the damage to the statue may not have been deliberate, the pastor at that time, decided to have it moved into
the locked garden area in an effort to stop any further destruction.
Garden revitalization efforts began on April 22, 2007 with the formation of a project team. By May
1, discussions were underway regarding the garden design, project planning, volunteer
recruiting, site cleanup, securing storage space, watering schedule, and the ordering and
scheduled delivery of mulch.
Father Taggart started recruiting volunteers by contacting the parishioners who had expressed
1, discussions were underway regarding the garden design, project planning, volunteer
recruiting, site cleanup, securing storage space, watering schedule, and the ordering and
scheduled delivery of mulch.
Father Taggart started recruiting volunteers by contacting the parishioners who had expressed
The Outer Border - Garden Perimeter
A border of orange cosmos was planted along the outside of the wrought iron fence edging the sidewalk. This brightened the
garden space, making a striking statement. An L-shaped, three foot wide boarder frames the inside of the garden along the
fence. A combination of perennials and annuals are planted. The common day lily was planted closest to the fence
specifically because it is hardy and will spread, the foliage forming a border which will help to prevent paper from blowing
into the garden. This plant also dies back, so the plant will not sustain damage during the winter months from the road salt.
Anchoring the border are arborvitae, lilac, and Rose-of-Sharon. Various annuals and perennials are planted within the
boarder.
A dedication ceremony was held on September 23, 2007. During the dedication ceremony the Scouts received their badges
and the Community Gardens Greenhouse youth volunteers were acknowledged with a special certificate. See photos.
This garden is by no means completed. Donations of time and plants are accepted always as the garden continues to grow.
Stepping stones were created by volunteers. Practice sessions were held using tufa, cement, various
forms, before the final products were created by the kids. Stepping stones line the pathways and are
used as garden accents within the beds.
forms, before the final products were created by the kids. Stepping stones line the pathways and are
used as garden accents within the beds.
Quadrant 1
The original plans called for a gazebo to be built in one quadrant of the garden, the quadrant closest to
the church. As design issues were hashed out, it was decided that a pergola was more suitable. Dave
McKay and his company donated time and materials to construct the structure. Gene Soucy and his
company donated the iron footing and braces.
The original plans called for a gazebo to be built in one quadrant of the garden, the quadrant closest to
the church. As design issues were hashed out, it was decided that a pergola was more suitable. Dave
McKay and his company donated time and materials to construct the structure. Gene Soucy and his
company donated the iron footing and braces.
Quadrant 2 - The Joe Primeau Garden
The Joe Primeau Garden is located in the front of the garden, by the entrance way. It is planted with perennials and bushes
which were favorites of Mr. Primeau. A tree anchors the garden, providing shade to a hosta collection. A marble bench was
donated by a parishioner and engraved in the Memory of Joe Primeau. The Primeau family donated Joe's favorite plants and
also purchased a bird bath. Annuals filled out the garden providing summer interest.
The Joe Primeau Garden is located in the front of the garden, by the entrance way. It is planted with perennials and bushes
which were favorites of Mr. Primeau. A tree anchors the garden, providing shade to a hosta collection. A marble bench was
donated by a parishioner and engraved in the Memory of Joe Primeau. The Primeau family donated Joe's favorite plants and
also purchased a bird bath. Annuals filled out the garden providing summer interest.
Quadrant 3 - Full Sun
This quadrant is a full sun garden. A triple tier of pots, donated by a
parishioner, is the focal point. It is planted with colorful annuals which spill
over each tier leading the eye into the flower bed.
Quadrant 4 - Full Sun
This quadrant is also a full sun garden and is planted with a variety of
perennials and annuals.
This quadrant is a full sun garden. A triple tier of pots, donated by a
parishioner, is the focal point. It is planted with colorful annuals which spill
over each tier leading the eye into the flower bed.
Quadrant 4 - Full Sun
This quadrant is also a full sun garden and is planted with a variety of
perennials and annuals.
Saint Patrick Center Circle
The statue takes center stage. A local artist has offered to craft new hands to restore the
statue. A circular garden will eventually be planted with a bed of colorful annuals surround
the statue. In spring of 2008, a bench fashioned from the recycled marble which destroyed
church altars in 2006 will be added.
The statue takes center stage. A local artist has offered to craft new hands to restore the
statue. A circular garden will eventually be planted with a bed of colorful annuals surround
the statue. In spring of 2008, a bench fashioned from the recycled marble which destroyed
church altars in 2006 will be added.
| The Joe Primeau Garden in development |
| The Joe Primeau Garden in development |
The bench engraved in Mr.
Primeau's memory; fashioned
from recycled marble.
Pergola in background.
Primeau's memory; fashioned
from recycled marble.
Pergola in background.
| A volunteer plants day lilies along the inside of the fence. |
| Summer blooming orange cosmos line the outside of the fence |
| The garden in early spring 2007 |
| The garden in early late summer 2007 |
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