Skills of Central Pennsylvania shield

The Skills Foundation

Creating Opportunities and Providing Support
for People with disAbilities

Skills of Central Pennsylvania shield

The Skills Foundation

Creating Opportunities and Providing Support for People with disAbilities

The Discovery Garden

Discovery Garden Awards and Recognition

Discovery Garden Receives Committee Choice Award

Representatives accept award Garden representatives accept the Committee Choice Award from the Blair County Chamber of Commerce.

On October 19, 2009, Discovery Garden was the recipient of the Committee Choice Award at the Blair County Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame banquet.

James and Dixon represent the HT Program Jennifer James and staff member Cyndy Dixon enjoyed the banquet.

Receiving the award were Karen Claton, project and volunteer coordinator; Leslie Smith, steering committee member; John P. Stultz, Jr., president of the Hollidaysburg Borough Council; and Lori Lange, Skills public relations and development coordinator.

Representing Skills horticulture therapy progam at the banquet were Jennifer James and Skills staff member Cyndy Dixon.

This year marks the 10th anniversary for the Discovery Garden in Hollidayburg Borough. The Garden has grown to encompass a series of seven theme gardens, a 25-foot horizontal sundial, a wisteria covered entry arbor, and it is the cornerstone for Skills horticultural therapy program.

2008 Community Greening Award

reception flag

In October 2008, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), along with the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful alliance (KPB), presented a 2008 Community Greening Award to Discovery Garden, a project of The Skills Foundation. The Community Greening Award received nominations this year from as far west as Sharon, PA and some from New Jersey and Delaware; the program honored Discovery Garden as one of its recipients.

This award recognizes and honors all those involved with Discovery Garden, including the Blair Garden Club, Borough of Hollidaysburg, Hollidaysburg Area Women’s Club, community volunteers, and the staff and individuals served by Skills of Central Pennsylvania, Inc. (Skills). The recognition was for creating and maintaining Discovery Garden as a public green space that enhances the community.

steering committee accepts award Discovery Garden Steering Committee representatives accept the 2008 Community Greening Award.

“We would like to congratulate all of the Community Greening Award participants for the impact they have made in their communities,” said Blaine Bonham, executive vice president of PHS. “Studies show quality green spaces enhance the health, beauty and economic vitality of an area and often serve as meeting places. This award represents a mark of excellence.”

Nominated by Linda Renney of the Blair Garden Club, Discovery Garden is one of only a few winners located in a rural area. Each entry is judged on: total visual effect, community involvement, year-round beauty, first impressions, use of space, variety of plants, and suitability of plants, horticultural practice, maintenance, and color.

The Discovery Garden in Hollidaysburg Borough’s Legion Memorial Park has become a destination spot for weddings and gatherings. More importantly, the Garden serves as the cornerstone for innovative programs which promote inclusivity and intergenerational activities, such as the horticultural therapy program offered through the vocational training service of Skills. The garden is a dedicated to the memory of Courtney Leigh Claton, a young woman who lived in Hollidaysburg and worked at Skills’ vocational training services in Altoona. Courtney passed away in 1997. Her mother, Karen Claton, volunteers as project coordinator.