Planting of a new public garden will unite generations in Cranbrook.

Located beside the seniors fitness park on the RecPlex grounds, the Generations Garden will involve all ages.

Cranbrook in Bloom is taking charge of the new garden on behalf of the City of Cranbrook, using a $24,700 grant from the federal New Horizons for Seniors Program.

"The program encourages seniors to volunteer in their communities. The city's idea is to pair the generations so a senior works with a child or a youth to build this garden," said Pat Adams, chair of Cranbrook in Bloom.

The area to the south of the Rec Plex already holds the fitness park and playground equipment, and it's called Generations Park. The new garden will fit into that theme.

The city is asking for seniors to volunteer their time to help plant the garden. Children from local preschools and from Mount Baker Secondary School will join up one-on-one with the volunteers so that each pair can plant together.

"We'll pair them so that a child works with a senior to plant a shrub or a flower in the garden," said Adams.

"I think it will be a lot of fun. Seniors usually have a lot of knowledge and life skills they can share. That's one of the goals of the program: for seniors to volunteer in the community and share their knowledge, skills and experience."

The garden will be filled with shrubs, perennials, herbs and annuals, and planting will take place in the first half of July.

Seniors who volunteer their time will also be able to take part in three seminars ahead of the planting during the week of June 25-29.

Jan Gordon-Hooker will conduct a seminar on volunterism, Adams explained, specifically "on what it means to be a volunteer in the community, how that benefits the volunteer and how it benefits the organizations, encouraging people to volunteer."

Jenny Humphrey will lead a seminar on xeriscaping, planting a garden that requires little watering for its upkeep.

A final seminar will take place on planting day at the Generations Garden, and seniors and youth will learn how to plant safely.

Anybody aged 55 and over is encouraged to take part in the Generations Garden, and planting experience is not necessary. Seniors can also bring a grandchild or another youth to partner with them to plant the garden.

To register, e-mail Pat Adams at padams@cintek.com.