Samuelson EcoScape

Eastern Health Center

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The Eastern Health Center garden is the 10th Community EcoScape designed by the Southern Environmental Center (SEC) since 1996. It consists of a series of interconnected gardens filled with native wildflowers, edible plants, and herbs. Designed for year-round color and fragrance, its paths connect a meadow garden and Southern woodland garden.

 

Signage at the Paul Samuelson EcoScape highlights medicinal plants and folklore. In addition, a trail system will eventually provide an access point to a proposed greenway linking the health center by way of Hawkins Park to East Lake Park.

 

As part of its partnership with the Jefferson County Department of Health (JCDH), SEC will develop a community usage program for the area. Potential projects include a Saturday farmer's market managed by East Lake United Methodist Church, and a garden training program for women residing at the Lovelady Center. In addition to its drug treatment programs, the Lovelady Center houses a work-release program for Tutwiler prison, and assists DHR child custody cases. SEC will also help JCDH develop potential community wellness programs like yoga in the gardens and nature education programs for area youth.

Funding support for this project came from the Jefferson County Public Health Fund and also the Samuelson Fund for Public Health.

View an interactive map of the Samuelson Ecoscape.

For directions, click here.