For Castle Gardens residents, The Fortune Society’s Sky Garden is a peaceful rooftop space for growing fruits, vegetables, herbs and native plants. It is a vital gathering place that fosters community connection through gardening and events like the Sky Garden Opening Party. 

The annual garden opening invited returning gardeners and other Castle Gardens residents to plant the first seeds of the season and celebrate together. They spent the afternoon savoring home-grown treats and reconnecting with friends and neighbors. 

To capture the spirit of the event, we sat down with Richard, a long-time member of the Garden Club, to discuss what he looks forward to this season and why he returns each year.

Richard reflected on being one of the original members of the Sky Garden Club, having returned every spring for seven years now. He recalled how, despite his limited gardening experience at first, he was eager to participate and learn from the staff and other gardeners. He credited Deb, Fortune’s Horticultural Therapist, for teaching him everything he knows now about gardening.

The Sky Garden club meets once weekly, but the rooftop is open to building residents throughout the week. The garden also offers various workshops and other activities that encourage connection among the gardeners.  

Richard enjoys the positive routine and socializing with the other club members. Like some of the other gardeners, working in the garden has also become a therapeutic practice for Richard. He noted that having access to the garden has provided him with a space to find some peace and solitude when needed.    

By returning to the garden each year, Richard has developed a deeper appreciation for nature, and he shared that he spends much of his time at the rooftop garden or at local parks enjoying the scenery.  

However, Richard emphasized that his favorite part of the gardening season is connecting with others in his community. Deb, Andrew, and the rest of the gardening community have become an incredible support system for Richard, and he credits much of the positive changes he has seen in himself to the people he met through the Sky Garden.  

The Sky Garden plays a vital role in nurturing meaningful connections among everyone in the building. Through gardening and shared experiences, the sense of love and support is unmistakable, making community the heart of the Sky Garden. When asked to sum up his relationship with the gardening community, Richard described it in just one word: beautiful.

Thanks to the dedication of the gardeners, the rooftop is alive with a rainbow of colorful plants, fruits, and vegetables, like tomatoes and peppers, herbs, and so much more. As we approach the harvest season, the gardeners can look forward to another annual Harvest Party to celebrate another fruitful growing season.