The revitalized and versatile Learning Garden at Elver Park Neighborhood Center shined brightly this summer and continues to be a focal point of outdoor activities as summer moves into fall and beyond. The space has been filled with countless smiles and laughter, thanks in part to the generous grant Elver Park Neighborhood Center received through The Neighborhood Fund and Madison Community Foundation.
The courtyard area, part of the greater outdoor space where children can play games like kickball, was previously home to a small library and two raised garden beds that were overgrown and untended, leading to rare use of the space given its uninviting nature. Elver Park Neighborhood Center and Wisconsin Youth Company staff knew it could be a fantastic spot at the neighborhood center with the benefits of a revitalization. They researched and planned how to best restore the area and funds were raised for the Learning Garden project.
Volunteers assisted in the project’s execution by painting four multipurpose benches that can be easily converted into picnic tables for outdoor activities, reading, and craft projects. They also helped plant herbs, vegetables, and flowers in the new garden carts.
Neighborhood center children spent many days outside this summer, reading and playing in the renewed space, and watering the garden’s many plants. They frequently enjoyed seeing butterflies and bees pollinating the plants and cannot wait to enjoy snack time outside, make fall projects in the space, and play chalkboard games while taking in the fall weather.
But the fun does not stop there.
They also plan to build snow people and snow castles in the Learning Garden space once the snow falls this winter.
Please consider donating to support Wisconsin Youth Company’s neighborhood center programs.
