In 2022, Trellis completed a 3-year strategic plan to guide the organization’s growth and long-term sustainability. The main goal for sustained growth is to connect more people living with the effects of permanent disability and trauma to gardening as a tool for achieving a rich, full life and good health.
Trellis launched its Ability Garden program concept in 2021 at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. Creating this space was a pivotal event for Trellis that offered a unique, accessible garden space designed for wheelchair users that gives the people we serve an equal opportunity to engage with plants and nature in a safe space with the support of trained horticultural therapists. The Ability Garden sessions are customized to specific populations including spinal cord injury, brain injury and stroke.
The Ability Garden program served 78 adults in 2022 and in 2024 that number more than doubled to 164 adults. To build on this momentum and to secure a bright future for Trellis, the strategic plan identified the need for more plantable land and a permanent operating space in a safe, navigable space for those we serve. Decatur Legacy Park was chosen to meet Trellis’s current and future needs. Keep reading to learn how you can support Trellis in its new chapter!
Legacy Park: A Place to Call Home
Decatur’s Legacy Park is the perfect place to call home. In 2024, Trellis was awarded grant funding of $40,000 to construct the Ability Garden at Legacy Park and the Legacy Park Community Garden. With additional support from several individuals from the Decatur Community, Trellis was able to complete the Ability Garden and secured a building lease. At the end of 2024, Trellis moved into Nickerson Cottage that now serves as the main office and indoor programming space. But the work is not done!
Help us raise $80,000!
- $30K by June 30th to support free therapeutic gardening programs at the new Ability Garden that are launching this Spring.
- $15K for much-needed renovations of the Nickerson Cottage and Outdoor Classroom to improve function and wheelchair access. The main needs are 1) widening a doorway between the kitchen and group session space; 2) replacing worn out shag carpeting with solid plank flooring throughout the building and new paint; 3) outfitting the kitchen with appliances, and 4) tables for the outdoor classroom.
- $35K for growing the Trellis team to allow us to impact more lives.
Become a Sponsor
If you would like more information about sponsoring a program or event, contact Wendy Battaglia, Executive Director at wendy@trellishta.org.
About Legacy Park
Legacy Park is a 77-acre parcel of land acquired by the City of Decatur in 2017 that accommodates a variety of recreational programs for the community, provides operating space for local nonprofits, and future affordable housing opportunities. Legacy Park has a rich history of serving the underserved as the former operating location of the United Methodist Children’s Home, established after the Civil War to care for orphaned children. The current and future development of the site is guided by a community-driven master plan. Visit the Legacy Park Decatur website to learn more about this unique and valuable asset to Decatur’s community. Learn more about Legacy Park.
The Ability Garden at Legacy Park
Your contribution will help make all of this possible.
Equal Access & Opportunity
By making gardens wheelchair-accessible, everyone is given the opportunity to engage in recreation with purpose for better health and quality of life. The Ability Garden at Legacy Park will provide a safe, navigable space for wheelchair users. Trellis’s commitment is stronger than ever to bring inclusive programming to Legacy Park.
A Sense of Belonging
Legacy Park offers a friendly and peaceful outdoor environment overflowing with good energy! Gardening in community provides social support and community connection that reduces the risk of chronic isolation and improves mental health. At Legacy Park, the connection to nature & community is strong. A place where both Trellis and those we serve can shine!
Enriching Programs & Partnerships
More gardening space will allow Trellis to expand its garden program and connect more people to nature. Support from Legacy Park’s nonprofit community will help to enrich and elevate Trellis’s programs. Trellis recently formed a new partnership with Paint Love, a Legacy Park arts organization serving youth experiencing trauma and poverty, to provide nature-based art programming for Trellis. Learn more about Paint Love.
Access to Community
Legacy Park is building community through its community recreation programs and events. These avenues of community connection are critical for building independence and confidence for those we serve.
We Can’t Do This Without You!
How can you help? We’re so glad you asked!
- Make an online gift today or become a monthly donor.
- Ask your employer to become a business sponsor. Ask us about sponsorship benefits! Contact Wendy Battaglia, Executive Director at wendy@trellishta.org.
- Send a check to 123 Olympic Place, Decatur, GA 30030 and designate for Growing Our Legacy campaign.
- Reach out to Rachel Cochran, Director of Development at rachel@trellishta.org, (404) 834-4660.