New owner could nix nursing home garden

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To some gardening is a hobby, but to many people who garden at the Schervier Nursing Care Center, the act of routinely tending to their crops is more of a lifeline. 

The community garden on the nursing home’s campus at 2975 Independence Ave. has brought together three dozen people who grow tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, herbs and flowers. The gardeners range in age from 50 to 87, and some live in government-subsidized apartments for low-income seniors in a Schervier building across the street, though none live in the nursing home.  

“People do care very much about this garden, its definitely an important part of their lives,” said Barbara Denson, community garden coordinator. “As some of the people get a little older, it’s harder to get up. This is a place that they say ‘Oh, I gotta go to the garden today.’ It really becomes a destination.” 

But the growers now wonder if their garden may soon be gone. 

The Bon Secours New York Health System, which owns the Schervier Nursing Care Center, the Schervier senior apartments, and the land the garden stis on, announced in March that the facilities were being sold to Brooklyn-based TL Management. 

While the particulars of the sale are not being disclosed, the process from bid to close is expected to last anywhere from 12 to 18 months given the complex nature of selling a Catholic facility that includes a building with government-subsidized apartments to a secular for-profit company. The process has been underway for about seven months now, according to estimates. 

TL Management has agreed to keep Schervier’s current name, and under the terms of the deal, must continue to run both the nursing home and the subsidized building, according to Bon Secours. 

While some find this reassuring, others wonder whether their garden, which has grown over the past decade to include sidewalks, a shared herb area, apple tree, two composting stations, and two 300-gallon rainwater collection systems, will survive. Many feel a deep connection to their plots.

“I had all this in my terrace, so I transferred my terrace over here,” said Erenia Peña, pointing at some of her tomatoes and eggplants.  “I don’t even want to get the idea in my head about them closing the garden. I just put these flowers here to pretty it up, I think the vegetables are happy when they have the little flowers.”

Irene Roth, another gardener, was also saddened by the news of the pending sale. “I started coming here with my granddaughter when she was 9. Now she’s in college and she cannot give me any time,” she said. “I hope the garden will stay because we all enjoy the garden a lot.” 

Ms. Roth visits the garden frequently, has made many friends, and often attends social gatherings and potlucks. 

Diane Jones said she was not sure if she would return next year, because of mobility issues. She said she hoped the garden continues, even though there are others community plots around. 

“If you really wanted to garden, there will be a place,” she said. But this one was special to her: “There’s a great pleasure in coming out for parsley, celery, cucumbers, and tomatoes, cause I live so close, I can come out in the afternoon and cook with them that evening,” Ms. Jones said. 

Bon Secours’ CEO, Carlos Beato, said he also hopes the garden will live on. Bon Secours had made efforts to find a buyer committed to maintaining Schervier’s mission, but uncertainty remains, he said. 

“The garden is part of the property,” Mr. Beato said. “I’m not sure what the new owners are planning to do, but their commitment is to continue with the same footprint.” 

Bon Secours had received a 10-year grant for community services – a category the garden falls under – and any financial concerns should have been put to rest, he said. 

Mr. Beato plans to stay with Schervier throughout the transition process. Ms. Denson said she would also stay on and continue running the garden.  

Schervier Nursing Care Center, Bon Secours, nursing home, community garden, Maria Coder

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