Garden takes root at East China Township retirement center | Life

Residents at Mallards Landing Retirement Center in East China Township are now able to enjoy an expanded community garden on the grounds thanks to a local boy scout.

Vincent Gaytan constructed a paved wheelchair-friendly sidewalk behind the center from the dining hall to the outside raised vegetable garden. He then built two additional raised garden beds and planted vegetables, including lettuce, leeks, banana peppers and eggplant.

Gaytan is a Life Scout with Marine City Boy Scout Troop 296 and is working to achieve Eagle Scout status. To achieve the highest rank in Scouting, Gaytan is required to complete an extensive community service project.

“I chose to help Mallards Landing because I wanted the residents to be able to have an area to gather and keep active,” Gaytan wrote in a letter seeking donations for the project. “By providing boxes that all can access, my hope is they will keep their minds and bodies active while enjoying a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables.”

Gaytan, a junior at Marine City High School, began his Scouting adventure at age 6. He has completed 37 merit badges, has held several positions of responsibility and has been active with the growth of his troop and activities.

The Eagle Scout rank is achieved by about 5 percent of all Boy Scouts, representing more than two million since 1912, the National Eagle Scout Association’s website states. Of the more than 130 merit badges available, 21 must be earned to qualify. The project must benefit an organization other than Scouting.

Gaytan’s great-grandmother, Vera Vogel, is a resident of Mallards Landing. She prompted him to choose the center as the location for his project.

“I hope she can enjoy the garden, as I know she was a very big gardener,” Gaytan said in his letter.

“It’s really a beautiful garden, and now all of our residents have access to it with their walkers,” said Jan Silk, manager of Mallards Landing.

The center, located on South River Road, features private one- and two-bedroom apartments for senior citizens. Assisted living is also available for those who desire support with their daily living needs.

After receiving approval from the center to add more raised garden beds, Silk mentioned the difficulty some residents had in accessing the garden because of their walkers.

“The sidewalk and extension to our existing garden is such a nice improvement,” said Silk. “It has opened up a whole new opportunity for us to be able to take the residents out to help harvest the vegetables that we have planted there. They are enjoying it immensely.

“We are very grateful to Vincent for all of his hard work.”

Pamela Binsfeld is a staff writer for The Voice. She can be contacted at 586-273-6197 or pbinsfeld@digitalfirstmedia.com.