Tenney-Lapham neighborhood boasts many creative gardens crafted by both experienced and novice gardeners. Motivations for these gardeners' efforts may include the beauty and value added to home and neighborhood, the sharing of harvest with neighbors and friends or the exercise and relaxation gardening affords. To many, it comes as no surprise that recent studies by the American Community Gardening Association have shown that gardens help reduce air and noise pollution, make neighborhoods safer, and increase community pride and participation.

A garden has a different attraction for children. To a young child a garden is a magical place with hidden surprises - a flower bud opening to reveal the splendor inside, a pollen-drenched bumblebee or a ripe strawberry discovered tucked under a leaf. Even a simple yellow cabbage moth or an earthworm will fill young children with wonder. As children grow, gardens can be places where they can begin to understand the science of plants and insects, the importance of soil and inter-relationships between plants and animals. In helping young people learn to grasp their own relationship to plants and the earth, a garden can be an extremely effective learning tool--an outdoor laboratory in which children can create, observe and experiment. The possibilities are virtually limitless.

Teachers and parents from Lapham Elementary School in association with members from the University of Wisconsin are hoping to build on children's natural attraction to gardens with an exciting new project. The Lapham School/Community Children's Garden is a collaborative venture which involves the University in partnership with the Lapham School community in developing a year-round inter-generational initiative. The program will also provide educational opportunities for school children (K-2) during the school year and into summer. The long range goal is to generate interest and create an awareness of careers in math and science related fields and to foster cooperative community-minded experiences for children.

Participating members from the Lapham School community include parents, teachers, students and administrators. The Lapham-Marquette Parent Teacher Group and the Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood Association have voted their support. Participating members from the university community are the School of Education, Pre-College Programs, Center for Biology Education, Wisconsin Teacher Enhancement in Biology, the Division of Continuing Studies and others.

The first year of the project (1998-99) the focus will be on establishing the garden site at Lapham Elementary School. The approximately 140' x 30' garden space will run parallel to E. Dayton Street adjacent to the existing north fence. As a deterrent to damage from runaway balls and excessive foot traffic, the garden will be enclosed on its south side by a 5' high chain link fence, yet easily accessed by two unlocked gates. Other preparations will involve the addition of topsoil and the planting of a cover crop to be turned under prior to planting. Acquisition of garden implements, a tool shed and miscellaneous materials are also needed. Partial funding has been received in the form of grants from Willy Street Coop and the Evjue Foundation. Volunteers are working to obtain additional financial support from other community businesses. The garden committee hopes to have sufficient funds to install a fence by September so that groundbreaking and site preparation can commence this fall.

Beginning in the spring of 1999 and in years following, the garden will be devoted to implementing garden-related curriculum efforts of Lapham teachers as well as offering a Summer Garden Camp for Kids. The University of Wisconsin will operate two camp sessions in June and July with the exact dates and times yet to be determined. Scholarships will be offered in an effort to make this experience accessible to all. Since only a portion of the garden space will be employed by classrooms and the summer camp, some gardening opportunities will be available for neighbors who will be invited to work remaining portions of the garden space as well as follow through with those begun in the camp sessions.

School community gardens are not a new concept. In cities throughout the country, such programs have proven highly successful in bringing neighbors of different generations together to learn from each other and improve the neighborhood while having a great time. If you or your business are interested in becoming involved in this project or would like to offer financial support, please contact either Ken Swift (251-4738(H), 266-6450(W)) or Margie Dougherty-Goodburn (256-0238).

-Margie Dougherty-Goodburn


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