Dateline East Hampton, CT :Sears Park, Saturday July 31, 2010
Earlier this year, the East Hampton Public Library was awarded a $1,000 grant from the Rockfall Foundation; the Foundation supports environmental education, conservation and planning initiatives in Middlesex County.
Under the grant, which we titled Fribrary Time Goes Green, the library committed to educate 4th and 5th graders on ways to preserve and protect the environment and effect positive change in attitudes and behavior through a year-long series of hands-on, age-appropriate activities.
Core Project : Sears Park/Lake Pocotopaug Buffer Garden
The fundamental project funded by the grant was restoring a buffer strip garden at Sears Park, not far from the shore of Lake Pocotopaug.
Site Preparation and Plant Selection
Under the grant, which we titled Fribrary Time Goes Green, the library committed to educate 4th and 5th graders on ways to preserve and protect the environment and effect positive change in attitudes and behavior through a year-long series of hands-on, age-appropriate activities.Core Project : Sears Park/Lake Pocotopaug Buffer Garden
The fundamental project funded by the grant was restoring a buffer strip garden at Sears Park, not far from the shore of Lake Pocotopaug.
Site Preparation and Plant Selection
Thanks to our Parks & Recreation Department, the site was cleared and readied for our core Rockfall Project. Site prep included marking underground utilities for safety's sake (photo above). A diversity of plantings were selected based on their ability to prevent erosion, sediment and nutrients from reaching our lake.
Our (Environmentally) Friendly Garden Crew
Beginning at 9:00 a.m. today, a sturdy crew of 4th and 5th graders set to work in collaboration with parents and members of the East Hampton Belltown Garden Club. By 11:00 a.m., all holes had been dug and plants set in their places.
Along the way the kids dug, clipped roots, and devised a very efficient 'bucket brigade' from lake to garden. Let us also mention the ease of learning how to un-pot plants, rev the roots and mix in plenty of organic 'safe for the lake' food to get the plantings off to a good start. And of course, who knew how much fun it would be to spread mulch?
More pics of all Team Fribrary/Team Rockfall/Team Garden Club members to come but here's one...
Along the way the kids dug, clipped roots, and devised a very efficient 'bucket brigade' from lake to garden. Let us also mention the ease of learning how to un-pot plants, rev the roots and mix in plenty of organic 'safe for the lake' food to get the plantings off to a good start. And of course, who knew how much fun it would be to spread mulch?
More pics of all Team Fribrary/Team Rockfall/Team Garden Club members to come but here's one...
Back Row : Hollye Thomas, Karen Gallmon, Sue Hewes, Karen TerryMiddle Row : Seth Adam Gilman, Rebecca White, Sarah Caramma
Front Row : Jo-Ellen Sajak, Elyse Arcidiacono, Jon Terry
After the Work Comes the Joy
