Enabling Gardens, a recent vegetative community effort, officially opened on June 11. The garden was made a reality thanks to Phoenix Community Garden, the Best Buddies program, and the Eau Claire Area Master Gardeners. This is no ordinary garden. The brainchild of Karen J. Olson, a member of the Master Gardeners, Enabling Gardens was designed to allow anyone of any physical ability to access it. The growing beds are raised over a sidewalk, giving access to those in wheelchairs or scooters. As a community space, anyone with an itchy green thumb is welcome to water, weed, or tend to them. This summer, the enabling beds will consist mostly of herbs used to flavor food at The Community Table and Campus Kitchens Project. The gardens are located on Forest Street within the Phoenix Community Garden, a local, non-profit organization that has come so far already it’s hard to believe this is only Year 2. The group rents plots to those who wish to grow herbs, flowers, or fresh vegetables. Anyone who volunteers in the communal garden is offered free produce. If you want to get involved, volunteer during set community work hours: Mondays 9am to noon, Wednesdays 6-9pm, and Saturdays 11am to 2pm. You can contact Phoenix Community Garden directly at thephoenixgarden@gmail.com