The love and care that went into the creation of an elders' healing garden at the Inuvik Regional Hospital is receiving some recognition.

The garden recently earned first place in the Town of Inuvik's 2017 community beautification contest, which came with a $500 prize.

SA国际影视传媒淚 was thrilled,SA国际影视传媒� said Arlene Jorgensen, the Inuvik Regional Hospital's chief operating officer. SA国际影视传媒淚 stop there frequently over the summer just to spend a minute or two in the green space.SA国际影视传媒�

The idea for the healing garden sprouted to life after the hospital's manager of operations, Chris Balla, noticed a number of elders were growing vegetables and plants inside the building.

SA国际影视传媒淪o he came to me with an idea,SA国际影视传媒� said Jorgensen.

He'd noticed there was some space between the long-term care facility and hospital entrance that had never really been developed.

Meanwhile, said Jorgensen, the had donated $7,000 to the hospital for a healing garden.

SA国际影视传媒淎nd I said, 'Chris, if you can make that space better, do it,'SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淪o it really all came together between Chris' idea, the elders taking some initiative SA国际影视传媒� and the contribution from the .SA国际影视传媒�

This spring, staff began building planters, benches and bringing in dirt for the garden.

also provided a plaque.

Now the elders have taken things over and maintain the space, where Jorgensen said they have even hosted events.

On Aug. 23, they invited the for a cookout and fire to thank them for their contribution, she said.

Elders from Aklavik also came by boat for the event.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was really lovely,SA国际影视传媒� said Jorgensen.

Though a tent and some other landscaping were set up at the hospital a few years ago, this is the first year the healing garden has been available.

Lise Saumur, director of community services at the Town of Inuvik, said the beautification contest is a way to encourage residents and businesses to boost the look of their spaces during the summer.

Contestants are evaluated for creativity and environmental sensitivity.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was really creative and it was different,SA国际影视传媒� said Saumur of why the hospital earned this year's top award.

The garden has SA国际影视传媒渢otally transformedSA国际影视传媒� that area at the hospital, she added.

SA国际影视传媒淚t just really felt like a lot of the hard work and the vision and the really good energy that had gone into there was acknowledged,SA国际影视传媒� said Jorgensen.