A 21-year-old Devonport man with Down syndrome has inspired a community garden project at The Cove Tasmania that aims to bring people of all abilities together.
Griffin Smith began working at The Cove, an accomodation experience on a family farm with restaurant and cafe, around two years ago after his carer asked if there was an activity he could do to get him out of the house.
He started by watering pot plants before gradually creating a small raised garden bed with help from the property’s groundsman.
Now he grows produce and delivers it to The Cove’s cafe and restaurant, where chefs use it.
The project has grown so much that The Cove is now planning a much larger space called Griffin’s Community Garden which will be open to the wider community.
Kim Robinson, managing director and owner of The Cove Tasmania, said Smith sparked the idea to open the garden up to others in the community.
“There are many more Griffins out there,” she said.
“There are elderly people that, you know, need to connect with other people. There’s people that would like a garden but don’t have any room for one.”
Robinson said Smith, who is non-verbal, had also come out of his shell since joining the team.
“He’s got a lot more words since, you know, since coming here,” she said.
“He’s got a Cove uniform. He’s part of the crew.”
The planned garden will cover roughly 30 by 15 metres and feature raised beds, wide accessible pathways, a greenhouse, a section dedicated to native Tasmanian plants and a relaxation area with a water feature and seating.
It’ll also supply fresh organic produce to The Cove’s restaurant and cafe and serve as a welcoming entrance to a planned wellness centre.
Robinson said local businesses had already pitched in with support, including excavation work, fencing and laying a base for the pathways.
A GoFundMe page has also been set up to help get the project finished sooner.
“With our huge investment here recently, we didn’t really have the funds to start it,” Robinson said.
“We’re excited now to see it started and, you know, we just wanna get things growing as quickly as we possibly can.”
