Calvary Center Co-op Offers Greenhouse Getaway

Residents in Golden Valley can escape to a greenhouse getaway at the top of the Calvary Center Cooperative to rest and rejuvenate. Volunteers keep a variety of plants vibrant and healthy all winter long.

“I love it up here,” says Vivian Bartel, who is one of the volunteers that has been keeping the plants in order for the last 12 years. “It’s a good place to come and a lot of people like to come up here and sit in the sunshine.”

The greenhouse houses residents’ plants when they go on vacation, but is also home to a variety of geraniums, cacti, rhododendrons, succulents, and even orchids.  

“We just do the best we can,” says Jo Larsen, who is also one of the main caretakers of the plants. “It’s a fun place to work and the scenery attracts most people.”

Aside from the greenery that is a welcome sight on a snowy winter day, residents also enjoy the impressive view of Golden Valley and the Minneapolis skyline. During warmer weather, plants are moved outside and residents can take in the view from the adjoining deck.

“People come up here to the Skyline room and they will come out here,” says June Gray, who lives here and helps care for the plants. “They love looking out on Golden Valley.”

Sometimes when cold temperatures and late snowfall push the feeling of winter into April or May, there’s even more of a need for people to escape and find a warm place to rejuvenate.

“I come up here every afternoon with a small Diet Pepsi. My office hours are from 2:30 to 3 p.m. and I sit here and have nice conversation,” says Don Anderson, who is a frequent visitor to the space. “It’s a wonderful spot.”

The Calvary Center Cooperative is a 55-plus senior living community on Golden Valley Road.

Golden Valley