CM Q3 FINAL DIGITAL - Flipbook - Page 24
desk. This way, the fresh,
organic produce becomes
a shared treasure, enjoyed
by both team members and
fellow residents. As for the
flowers, their vibrant hues
and fragrances are collected
into beautiful bouquets,
brightening up communal
spaces and serving as a daily
reminder of nature’s bounty.
An antique hand plow
stands sentinel at the
garden’s entrance. This
relic, once used by an early
Lakewood gardener, now
symbolizes the rich history
of cultivation on this land.
For Dean, the gardens are
an extension of his identity.
Drawing from childhood
memories on a mid-western
farm and supported by
his academic pursuits in
botany at the University of
Richmond, Dean’s influence
on the garden is notable.
But Lakewood’s gardens
are more than just a
space for plants. They’ve
evolved into community
Dean Decker
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COMMUNITY MATTERS