This project to develop a garden in the school’s courtyard started in May of 2013 and was completed in September 2014. After receiving the information that the Portland Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation got a $10,000 Community Watershed Stewardship Program grant, meetings were started to go over the initial planning and develop what the garden is going to look like. Meeting attendees included Portland Public Schools, the City of Portland, and Jocelyn Gary (Surfrider-Portland Ocean Friendly Gardens Program Co-Chair, at left in white visor) and Carlos Galindo representing Peninsula School (Kindergarden-8th grade).
Jocelyn’s principal asked her to attend monthly Parent Teacher Association (PTA) meetings to keep the parents and community members updated on the progress of the garden. They learned about Surfrider Foundation and volunteered in many ways – even during the day to help teach the classes. Two parents started rain gardens in their own homes because of this project!
The district did pull through and finished the grading, excavation, and plumbing of the rain garden by Labor Day. To my excitement, this meant that Surfrider could finally hold their work parties and we could prepare the garden for planting.
Todd and his crew successfully installed the pipe to the rain garden on August 27th. There was a work party on September 6th with lots of parents and students, and four Surfrider volunteers. Working in 96 degree heat, they completed a pathway, got a basalt rock fence installed, and tilled the ground and mixed the soil for planting. On Friday, September 19th, the plants were brought to the school by Todd and his crew, and a group of volunteers got them laid out in the courtyard for planting preparation. Then on Monday, September 22nd, the two now-6th grade classrooms planted the plants to the rain garden and it’s finally installed.
A wonderful dedication ceremony was held in May of 2015, and watch the video: