BRA Activities
Nature Activities
APIARY
ORGANIZER: Tom Boytim
WHERE: The Broadmead Apiary, on Copper Beech Lane
WHEN: The beekeepers meet as needed
DETAILS: The Broadmead Apiary, established in 2013, is operated and maintained by residents, led by those who are trained and experienced beekeepers. Throughout the year they inspect the beehives, medicate when necessary, feed the bees sugar syrup, replace hives that die and harvest the honey into jars for sale. The proceeds from the honey sale (amounting typically to over $3,000.00 a year) go to the BRA to fund programs (lectures, concerts, etc.) sponsored by the Broadmead Resident Association. Beekeeping is hard work, and beekeepers do get stung sometimes, but they still find the job very rewarding.
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BUILDING AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE (a BRA Standing Committee)
ORGANIZER: Sheila Fitzgerald.
WHERE: Lower-level community center. Seminar Room
WHEN: 3rd Thursday of the Month, 1:00-300 pm
DETAILS: The committee is focused on assessing and recommending suggestions concerning the physical maintenance of the Broadmead community, its landscaping, and the safety and security of the Residents. We also consult and cooperate with the VP of Facilities Services and Maintenance and Grounds.​ Residents interested in joining may reach out to the Chairman regarding appointment to the committee.
COMMUNITY GARDENS
ORGANIZER: Bill Mangels
WHERE: The fenced garden plots on Copper Beech Lane
WHEN: The committee of one assigns the garden plots inside the deer fence in the spring. Please contact Bill Mangels directly to request a garden plot.
DETAILS: Residents who want to keep their plots each year may do so, and empty plots are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis. Handicapped accessible, raised beds are also available. When current plot users no longer wish to continue, please indicate this intent to Bill Mangels.
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FLOWER COMMITTEE
ORGANIZER: Kathleen Truelove
WHERE: Lower level, Community Center, Flower Room
WHEN: 9:30 am Fridays to arrange (with additional watering and checking of arrangements)
DETAILS: This committee is made up of resident volunteers who dedicate their time and talents to beautifying the Broadmead Center public spaces. Among their many responsibilities is the creation of 18 large, fresh-cut flower arrangements for placement throughout the Broadmead Center, plus small table arrangements for the dining room. Weekly activities
include ordering and conditioning fresh-cut flowers; collecting vases for washing and sanitizing for reuse; gathering foliage from campus; arranging the flowers; mentoring new committee members; mid-week watering of all arrangements; and replacing wilting flowers in individual arrangements. Members also create arrangements for “new resident” receptions and Broadmead’s New Year’s Eve celebration and other holidays. Occasionally, members might make arrangements for special BRA supported functions.
GREENHOUSE
ORGANIZER: Kathleen Truelove
WHERE: Greenhouse (contiguous to Physical Therapy Room)
WHEN: Residents can make use of the greenhouse to store their tender plants between October 15th and May 15th
DETAILS: There is water available in the greenhouse and residents are entirely responsible for their own plants. Plants may be moved around to accommodate everyone, so a named marker is required on each pot.
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NATURE COMMITTEE
ORGANIZER: Nancy Funk
WHERE: Community Center, Seminar Room
WHEN: 2nd Thursdays of the month, 11:00 am
MISSION STATEMENT: The committee’s mission is to identify threats to nature at Broadmead and to take steps to help alleviate them.
DETAILS: The committee provides education to residents about actions they can take to contribute to a healthy natural environment at Broadmead. It encourages residents in their gardening efforts and works with Broadmead grounds keeping. There are ample opportunities to contribute to the Nature Committee and to make new friends. New ideas, as well as helping hands, are welcome.
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TERRACE GARDEN COMMITTEE
ORGANIZER: Marsha Howes & Lucy Wright
WHERE: The Terrace Garden, formerly the Rose Garden, is located in a level area near the current Pickleball Court, south of the Community Center. Included as part of this garden is a raised bed on the south end of the Pickleball Court and a small water garden in the center of the Terrace Garden.
WHEN: Ongoing
DETAILS: These gardens have been tended for the past 44 years by residents. The gardens can be viewed by all passersby from the sidewalk to their east, and are partly visible from inside the Bistro. The brightly colored blooming plants are an uplifting sight to all, and are also visible to those who use walkers, wheelchairs, scooters and rollators, since the garden adjoins the main building. The purpose of this committee is to maintain the Terrace Garden, the raised bed, and the water garden; to remove and replace diseased and wildlife damaged plant material; to use sustainable gardening practices and educate residents about these practices; and to encourage pollinator and wildlife visitors to the gardens, including bees, butterflies, beneficial insects, and birds.
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TRAILS COMMITTEE (A SUBCOMMITTEE OF BUILDING AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE)
ORGANIZER: Roger Karsk
WHERE: The upper and lower trails of Broadmead
WHEN: The trails are always open for hiking.
TRAIL MAPS: A sign showing a map of the trail system is located at the trail head across the road from the Stony Run entrance to the Center. Maps are available as handouts from the Wellness Center, as downloadable PDFs from the BRA website, from Caremerge, or from the Nature and Trails website.
DETAILS: The Trails Group is an informal group focused on maintaining the Nature Trails at Broadmead and encouraging their use. Financial support is available from an endowment managed by the Broadmead Administration. The Trails system includes upper and lower trails. The upper trails, on the North Hill, above the campus, include easy walks, such as the Dogwood Trail, and more challenging, steeper ones such as the Ridge Trail. Among the lower trails, the Western Run Trail follows the stream from W-cluster all the way to York Road. It floods in parts after heavy rains but otherwise is a pleasant walk to observe birds and occasionally beavers and deer. Members work with the Grounds team, which insures that the trails are walkable, by mowing, mulching, clearing fallen branches and trees, etc. Members also recommend improvements, such as needed benches or better signage. Traditionally, the group has coordinated with the Wellness Center to sponsor Trail Day in the spring when residents are encouraged to walk the trails, with guides available.
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