It takes more than sticks and bricks to build a community, it takes people. In a few short months, Painted Prairie has become a great place to live, work, and build lasting friendships.

One example of this, is the recent collaboration between Centennial’s Ana’s Norwegian Bakeri and Roselle Hisbiscus Delight, an all-natural beverage company owned by Painted Prairie resident, Rosemarie Aarnes.

The two local businesswomen met while participating in Painted Prairie’s first Micro Pop-Up Market. From there, a friendship and now, business relationship grew. Ana agreed to carry Roselle’s Hisbicus drink at her bakery and the rest is small, local business matchmaking history.

“So excited to feature Sorrel by Roselle Hibiscus Delight!” said Ana in a recent social media post. “This drink reminds me of Gløgg, a traditional Christmas drink found in Norway. There is an Original option, Chia Seeds option, and Sugar-Free option. Made with Organic, Non-GMO ingredients, made locally in Colorado.”

Rosemarie is equally excited to be a part of Ana’s store. “We love Ana and her bakery,” says Rosemarie. “She is selling our drinks at her store. Like we always say, ‘Teamwork makes the dream work!”

We love it when our residents and our vendors make long last connections and friendships.

Whether you are a family of four or a family of one, Painted Prairie’s community gardens offer healthy lifestyle choices, a sense of community, and an easy way to enjoy the Colorado outdoors

Did you know?

Painted Prairie has two community gardens — Columbine and Indian Paintbrush Gardens. Both gardens are located within easy walking distance from anywhere in Painted Prairie. These gardens offer a place to gather, make family memories, or spend quiet time alone with your very own plot of homegrown vegetables.

Whether you are growing for your own family or to donate to a local food bank, community gardens offer more than a sustainable food source. Our community garden plots are for anyone new to urban farming and who want to connect with the outdoors in a healthy, nutritious way.

While not a new concept, community gardens are popping up all over the country, including right here in Colorado. From urban areas to the suburbs, national trends show that these small urban garden spaces are growing faster than in previous years. According to a blog post by The Trust for Public Land, in 2019, the number of community garden plots in city parks has increased 44% since the group started keeping track in 2012. Currently, there are approximately 20 community gardens in Aurora, Colorado, that provide food and community connections for residents.

It is that connection to the earth, the respite from life’s stresses, and the shear joy of growing and harvesting our own food that brings the neighborhood together at Columbine and Indian Paintbrush Gardens. Long before DIA was a blip on the radar, the early pioneers who settled this land joined together to grow their own food and live a simple, sustainable life. Our community gardens are designed to attract residents (and butterflies), and are another way Painted Prairie is tying into the agricultural roots of the community.

How do I start my own urban garden?

If you are ready to jump into urban gardening at Painted Prairie, we have a few easy steps to get you started:

1. Your Location: Will you be able to walk or bike to your garden plot? Simply knowing that you can walk out your door and be in your private plot in a matter of minutes, is important to maintaining your garden.
2. Your Diet: What vegetables do you eat on a regular basis at home? Planting vegetables that your family regularly consumes is a great way to start. Exploring new vegetables to try is always encouraged, and helps your kids try new tastes.
3. Your Know-How: Do you have a green thumb? It doesn’t matter if you are a new gardener or a seasoned pro, there are many resources available to both amateurs and Master Gardeners alike. For a limited time, Painted Prairie will host monthly gardening clinics hosted by the Dig and Dream Garden Club to help you get started. In addition, the CSU Extension Office is an invaluable resource for gardeners of all levels. To sign up for our first How-To Garden Clinic, click here to RSVP.

If you are interested in renting a garden plot for the summer, reservations are available by contacting John with Advance HOA via email at [email protected]. Remember, gardening is fun and a great way to get to know your neighbors and enjoy the Colorado outdoors at the same time!