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| Before Planting |
After overcoming timeline hurdles, the wildlife garden at
Walter H Dyett High School is well on the way to completion. On June 11, 2011, fourteen volunteers installed more than one thousand indigenous plants in a garden that covers nearly 1000 square feet on the east side of the school near the corner of 51st & St Lawrence.
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| After Planting |
The plants were selected to tolerate partial shade, drought and innocent adolescent abuse.
Prairie plantsʼ extensive root systems allow them to be self-reliant by replenishing the soil with organic matter. The plants were selected for various heights, hues and textures for seasonal diversity and to attract wildlife. The variety of scents and hues of periwinkle, crimson and indigo will create an open invitation for swallowtails, finches and bumblebees to visit the garden. The stunning wavy wall border built by Carl Erickson of Outback Design and Construction Co. extends the entire length of the garden -- 136 feet -- and produces the illusion of a river stream. See our
flickr page for more images.
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| Dyett Student's Mosaic Artwork |
Later this year, Janine Favia, Dyettʼs art teacher, will work with students on the mosaic tile design project to accent the wall’s border. Students will personalize their mosaic artwork to read like treasured stories in historic quilts. Janine was
inspired to develop such a garden on a lackluster school wall to use as an outdoor classroom to teach students about art, ecology and good stewardship.
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| One of fourteen volunteers planting on June 11, 2011 |
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Volunteers chatting on planting day, June 11, 2011
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The Washington Park Conservancy is deeply grateful to the
Southeast Chicago Commission for the generous grant that makes this garden
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| Principal, Robert M. McMiller on planting day |
possible. Additionally, the Conservancy offers thanks to the
Hyde Park Garden Fair Committee and the
Chicago Botanic Garden for donating plants to the project.
The
Chicago Park District provided seeds and tools, and Carol Gittler provided more tools.
More thanks goes out to all of the volunteers including DePaul's Day of Service and U of C's Men of Service. Special thanks are due to Dyettʼs Principal, Robert M. McMiller for approving the project, and to
Fourth Ward Alderman, Will Burns, for his enthusiastic interest and support.
The plants were purchased from the
Possibility Place. View the slide bars on this blog to find information about native plants and wildlife.
Madiem Kawa
Washington Park Conservancy
The Washington Park Conservancy is deeply grateful to the Southeast Chicago Commission for the generous grant that makes this garden
