Fountain Gate Gardens

Transcription

1 Fountain Gate Gardens A proposed downtown Kennesaw community garden offering individuals and groups the opportunity to practice natural gardening and related activities for therapeutic, educational, economic, and social benefit. Project Summary for Discussion Summer 2012 Proposed for the Consideration of the Leaders of the Greater Kennesaw Area A Program of Fountain Gate Life & Wellness A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization

2 Project Summary The staff and volunteers of Fountain Gate Life & Wellness, Inc., a Georgia 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in 2007, have developed an exciting plan to construct and operate a one-of-a-kind 2.5-acre community garden in downtown historic Kennesaw. Fountain Gate Gardens began as an innovative extension of Fountain Gate Counseling Center s reduced cost counseling services, but it has grown into a multi-dimensional community garden plan. The Gardens will be located next to the Counseling Center on Cherokee Street in Kennesaw, and will feature: a community garden with 50 plots available for individuals and families to grow food for personal use; large farm plots for KSU and Cobb Master Gardeners to raise food for charities and provide educational programs; children s educational gardens; sensory gardens; themed gardens (e.g., Veterans Garden); contemplative gardens; a walking path; an event lawn; and a community center (the Gate House ) featuring classroom space, coffee bar, and retail store offering resources on health-related topics. Access to all garden areas will be open to the public. This project is destined to become a signature community asset for decades to come. Background Information on Fountain Gate and the Gardens Project In response to the tremendous need for affordable mental health services in Cobb County and beyond, Craig and Deb Torell founded Fountain Gate Life & Wellness, a multi-faceted Christian organization dedicated to providing healing, encouragement, instruction, and outreach through counseling, retreats, education, and the arts. According to the National Institute for Mental Health, approximately 26% of the U.S. adult population has a diagnosable mental health disorder. These numbers greatly increase among low-income families, with studies showing 32% of individuals with low incomes report issues with depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems. Studies have also shown that welfare recipients suffer from clinical depression at four to seven times the rate of the general adult population. Cobb County statistics are consistent with these national numbers. According to the 2010 Cobb County Health Status Report, an estimated 26.2% of adults suffer from a mental disorder in a given year in Cobb County. Despite these numbers, the poor are much less likely than others to utilize mental health services. Reasons for this can include the high costs associated with care, no / inadequate health insurance, limited local access to qualified service providers and the stigmas associated with mental health services. Fountain Gate programs address the need for quality, affordable mental health services by offering these services to the community at low sliding scale rates as low as $10 based on household income and family size. Fountain Gate also offers many free therapeutic workshops that address a wide variety of emotional and spiritual concerns. Notably, although 70% of Fountain Gate clients reside in Cobb County, the remainder come from 8 other counties in the metro Atlanta region. Since opening the Counseling Center in June of 2008, Fountain Gate s professional staff has provided over 9000 hours of subsidized counseling to 1200 people; additionally, Fountain Gate has offered 25 workshops attended by 200 people. Now, Fountain Gate seeks to extend and expand upon its mission via Fountain Gate Gardens, which will promote healthy and balanced lifestyles and encourage individuals to live full and productive lives. The Gardens Plan Fountain Gate has developed the following preliminary design for the Gardens: See page 3. 2 / Project Summary for Discussion Summer 2012

3 Major Features of the Gardens Walking path n 0.1 mile loop, paved with crushed granite n Encounter historical and artistic elements along the way Contemplative Gardens n Quiet meditation areas n Natural beauty in an environment conducive to reflection, refreshment, and healing Event Lawn 7 n Weddings and concerts n Special community gatherings and events n General recreational space Sensory Gardens n A fun and educational opportunity to see/touch/smell/taste unusual plants in creative settings Children s Gardens 33 n A safe place to learn and play n Playground elements with themes from historic Kennesaw (e.g., railroad) Cobb Master Gardeners Plant-A-Row for the Hungry Garden Gate House Community Building 4 (a 130 year old restored farm house) n Coffee bar, used to support garden operations and Fountain Gate s charitable programs n Retail outlet selling gardening resources and material for spiritual, emotional, and physical health, e.g., art, books, music n Classes / educational programming n Food contributed to The Center for Family Resources, a Cobb County food bank (approximately 3000 pounds of produce to be donated annually) n Educational programs for local community groups (school field trips, Boy Scouts, seniors, etc.) Themed Gardens n Cotton and other historical farm products n Veterans garden n Other creative themes, e.g., Butterfly Garden, Aqua Garden, Rose Garden, Labyrinth, etc. Historic Kennesaw Community Garden n Fifty 5 x 12 plots available for individuals and families to raise food for household use n Community members help provide oversight n Gardening classes taught by Cobb Master Gardeners n Handicapped friendly: Selected beds will be elevated to accommodate gardeners in wheel chairs KSU Community Outreach Gardens n Demonstration Garden to be operated by KSU Culinary Services n Learning Lab for future Culinary School n Food will go to local charities / Project Summary for Discussion Summer 2012

4 Additional Project Details n The Gardens will be a hub of community activity and socialization. They will bring people out and offer opportunities to connect. This is especially important in a society where alienation is prevalent and people spend an ever-increasing amount of time connecting electronically. n There will be a Veterans theme in a portion of the Gardens. One of Fountain Gate Counseling Center s specialties is dealing with trauma, including that experienced by Veterans. n Educational classes will address health and wellness related issues, organic gardening and sustainable agriculture, and local history: farming, the railroad, and Native Americans. n This project is a collaborative private / public initiative with the following partners involved to date: Fountain Gate Life & Wellness Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County n Trained by Georgia Cooperative Extension Service n Will implement the Plant a Row for the Hungry Garden program City of Kennesaw Downtown Development Authority Kennesaw State University n The Gardens represent an opportunity for volunteerism (scouts, school groups, senior groups, etc.). Who Will Benefit? Fountain Gate anticipates that the Gardens will provide recreational and therapeutic opportunities for thousands of citizens per year in Kennesaw and beyond. Notable beneficiaries will include: Those dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma and loss Civic and community groups Gardening enthusiasts City of Kennesaw Individuals and families Local residential / commercial property owners Kennesaw State University Cobb County Veterans Elderly Disabled Children Project Budget A. Land purchase... $500,000 Fountain Gate has secured an option to buy the property (including two historic farm houses) and will purchase it once the campaign has been successful. B. Development / construction of the site and professional fees... $1.2 million C. Gardens annual maintenance and administrative costs first 3 years... $150,000* TOTAL BUDGET (FUNDING NEED)... $1.85 million * Fountain Gate envisions that annual fundraising, Gate House revenue, and plot rental fees will cover annual maintenance costs by the end of year 3. 4 / Project Summary for Discussion Summer 2012

5 Project Funding In the coming weeks, Fountain Gate intends to seek input from key leaders and campaign prospects throughout the community on both the Gardens plan and the feasibility of a capital campaign to fund it. We intend to complete this process in August 2012, and then, pending the outcome of the Study, move forward and initiate a capital campaign. Upon commencement of a campaign, Fountain Gate will call on the most interested and financially capable families, individuals, foundations, businesses, and the government to step forward and fund Fountain Gate Gardens. Fountain Gate anticipates an approximately 8-10 month fundraising campaign, followed by comprehensive development of the site in mid 2013 and an expected Grand Opening date of Fall Naming Opportunities The potential campaign for this project will offer lasting recognition for selected giving levels in the form of high visibility Naming Opportunities. Your gift can provide recognition and tribute to a family, individual, business or foundation. Governance and Accountability The Board of Directors of Fountain Gate Life and Wellness, Inc., the organization behind this project, will govern use of the Gardens after completion. Fountain Gate will appoint and convene an Advisory Council comprised of representatives of key Garden constituencies (including community members) to provide input on Gardens policies and procedures. Conclusion and Premise for Funding The Funding Feasibility Study now underway is about determining whether the private and public sector leaders of Kennesaw are supportive of this project and ready to assume leadership and influence over its completion. In order to complete the Gardens, we simply must have the endorsement and buy-in of the community s top stakeholders. We intend to seek involvement and funding from all sources and especially those stakeholders with a clear interest in seeing the development of this multi-dimensional, one-of-a-kind space in downtown Kennesaw. Thank you for participating. We appreciate your thoughtful review and candid feedback on our plan. For more information please contact Elizabeth Bookout at x110 or ebookout@fountaingate.com. Fountain Gate Life and Wellness, Inc Cherokee Street Kennesaw, GA fountaingate.com 5 / Project Summary for Discussion Summer 2012