project:
The Groveland Outdoor Classroom (The Giving Tree Project)
Groveland Elementary School, Minnetonka, Minnesota
project
background:
Once in a while, an idea comes up, that just seems right. My daughter and I were reading Shel Silverstein’s book,
“The Giving Tree” together, and we thought it would be a nice idea to donate a “Giving Tree” to her school. We brought the idea
to the school principal, along with a larger concept... Why not the addition of a fresh-air outdoor classroom for the students
and staff? He thought it was a perfect plan for his school, and so... “the idea was planted”.
The idea “took root and
grew”, in the form of a circular gathering space, based on the council-ring concept, including a wrap-around student sitting wall
and a raised teaching node, in the interior. To make it A.D.A. compliant, we extended a walk system over to the school doors,
designed as a series of chevrons and triangles, reminiscent of Native American design patterns.
Next, we faced the very
real challenge of funding. With a grass-roots "Outdoor Classroom Committee", we got on the phone and sent letters and asked
for donations, large or small, as well as seeking material donations from vendors and manufacturers. (It’s a point of school
pride, that not one dollar of school district funds or tax dollars went into the construction of this worthy project.) Groveland
students planted colorful gardens of native Minnesota wildflowers, and in May of the following spring, we dedicated the Outdoor Classroom
in a special celebration (bottom photo). That same fall, Ron Schara’s “Minnesota Bound” television show came and taped two separate
stories on this rewarding community success. The Groveland Outdoor Classroom is now listed on the National Registry of Children’s
Gardens.
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