 |
Rosa
Parks Elementary School Community Garden |
|
Rosa
Parks Elementary School Community Garden |
|
1997: Designated land cleared to begin building Rosa Parks Elementary, San Diego City Park and Recreation facility. |
2003: Fence completed. Park and Recreation fields to the west, Rosa Parks school to the north and east. |
|||||||||||||
|
 |
 |
In 1996, Rosa Parks Principal,
Emilee Watts, began working with school district personnel and community partners
to designate a suitable piece of land to be developed later as a community
garden. This piece of land was identified on the Rosa Parks Elementary school
campus adjacent to the City Heights Recreation Center.
In 2002, Sixteen (16) students involved in the Cesar Chavez Service Learning
Clubs took on the responsibility to organize the concept and the architectural
plans. Applying their newly acquired leadership skills, these children formulated
a democratic steering (governance) committee to develop the "garden"
idea and to solicit teacher, parent and community buy-in.
The goal of creating the garden was to offer a dynamic learning environment
for students to integrate learning theory from a variety of academic disciplines,
including science, math, reading, environmental studies, nutrition and health.
In addition, the inclusive nature of the project would also serve as a means
to foster human and community development through involvement, participation
and ownership in a community neighborhood endeavor.
The San Diego Women's
Foundation awarded Rosa Parks Elementary School a grant in Spring 2002 to
pay for start up expenses associated with the implementation of the Community
Garden. One-time capital expenses covered the installation of chain-link fencing
and an irrigation system, soil, planting beds, the purchase of a supply shed,
some gardening equipment and curriculum integration support and educational
materials. Operational dollars cover the expense of incentive stipends for
after-hour gardening up-keep. Grant funds allowed the Steering Committee to
build the needed infrastructure for this school-based, community garden in
the urban area known as City Heights. On
behalf of the Community Garden Steering Committee, Scripps Mercy Hospital
has served as the administrative and fiscal agent to operationalize the Rosa
Parks City Heights Community Garden.
