Have you heard the news? St. Paul’s Academy is building a new outdoor classroom space adjacent to Markell Hall. The vision for this space is to engage students in hands-on environmental, scientific, and cooperative learning projects that can be enhanced in an outdoor setting. Once the garden is open, K-8th grade classes will be able to plan and carry out projects in the space.

Ready to lend a hand? Visit our Facebook page or Sign up Genius to find out about upcoming work parties.

The initial garden project managers, Tanya Miller and Heather Carter, have set a few goals to accomplish before the start of the school year:  

  1. Establish a safe and easily accessible entrance to the garden from the Markell Hall parking lot
  2. Have the garden space cleared of waste, debris, and overgrowth so that classes can start with a fresh space
  3. Have basic tools, equipment, and a maintenance plan in place to ensure volunteers and classes have the resources needed to succeed

Here’s our progress so far:   

  1. The fence surrounding the garden property will be repaired/rebuilt. Construction is scheduled to start in early August
  2. Three raised bed frames have been donated by the Manning family and placed in the garden
  3. Four volunteer work parties have been held to help clear debris and ready the site for fence work in August

There’s still A LOT of work to do!  We’re looking for generous volunteers to help with the next steps:

  1. Volunteers are needed to help clearing out debris and overgrowth around the fence perimeter so construction can begin in early August
  2. Volunteers with TRUCKS are needed to help haul debris to the dump
  3. Donations of tools, gloves, and gardening equipment are greatly appreciated. Gently used items are great!  Here’s a few suggestions: rakes, shovels, hand clippers, a wheelbarrow, cordless trimmer, extra work gloves, safety glasses, a compost bin, watering cans, hoses, planters
  4. We’re hoping to find a parent or two who will be willing to lead a volunteer garden team next year. Interested in more info? contact Heather, or Tanya, for more info.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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