Mental health agency adds plots, trees to gardens

Bagley Downs — The gardens are bigger, and there’s a fruit and nut orchard, too. Columbia River Mental Health Services, at 6926 N.E. Fourth Plain Blvd., has tripled the size of its community gardens. Now, 90 individual garden plots are easily accessible to the nearby neighborhood. And, on March 10, 15 volunteers planted 20 fruit trees and 15 nut trees to establish an edible orchard. Many of these garden plots are tended by senior citizens and families. “It is a real community effort to have healthier foods, and a little exercise,” said spokeswoman Pat Stryker.