Avondale Elementary School's Front Yard gets a make over!

Background

In July of 2020, the Youth Committee chairs of the Avondale Estates Garden Club and the Avon Garden Club came together to enhance the front yard of Avondale Elementary School. It was decided to apply for the Plant America Grant of the National Garden Club, Inc.

The Clubs applied together, but very quickly learned that only one Club could apply due to the way the grant was originally set up with the IRS. A coin was flipped and Avondale Estates Garden Club applied for the Grant. Both clubs agreed that nothing would change on the local level. 

Plans began and the Youth Committee chairs started moving forward, seeking volunteers, and brainstorming.

In December, a Plant America grant of $1000 was awarded to the Avondale Estates Garden Club of the Redbud District.

Since December, the two Clubs have made progress toward the project's completion. Many have volunteered to be involved, but there is always a need for many, many more volunteers.

Continue reading to learn more about the project, and find ways that you can participate in this amazing endeavor.

Highlights of the Project

• Landscaping - An overall update to the grounds and front entrance area will include removal of overgrown plants, transplanting of Mexican Petunias to a better location, amending the soil, planting new more appropriate shrubs and a specimen tree, perhaps a dogwood. As far as possible within the budget there will be native plants, pollinators, and plants to attract birds.  
• Art features - Three tall "totem" poles will be a focal point near the entrance. Members of the Avondale Art Guild are volunteering time and talent to paint the poles. Art work on the art has been completed and the poles will be installed after the initial landscaping is done. Depicted on the totems are illustrations of students, along with plants, flowers and the life cycles of butterflies, frogs, birds and such. The 10' 6x6" cedar poles were donated by the Avondale Historic Signs Committee , Ernie Ahlquist, and Rob and Libby Morris.    Functional birdhouses built by Mark Timberlake will sit atop the totem poles and have been painted by other artists in the community. River rocks were given to several members of the community to prime with 2 coats of paint. The priming was to prepare the rocks for the students to paint with creative designs. These rocks are in the art room ready for students to add their creative designs. These rocks will be used around the base of the totems and throughout beds for colorful surprise elements.
• Educational element - A little library has been built by local craftsmen and will be located in the garden. It will house books for students on gardening, nature, animals and ecology. Books are being collected to put into the library. "Read it, Love it, Return it" may be the slogan on the library. The library will be whimsically painted by yet another artist. Books will be pre-K to 5th grade level.
• Tribute area -  Engraved bricks have been ordered. These will honor the Teacher's of the Year and Principals who served the school over the years. These bricks will be edging the flag plaza located beside the walkway into the school.
• Engraved Bricks Ordered -  Former students, friends of the school and others have purchased 132 engraved bricks. Some that have been ordered are in honor of a parent or neighbor, others list former students names and the years they attended AES, some honor a favorite teacher, and a few are in memory of a loved one. That was Phase One and that order is now closed.
• Phase Two of Brick Orders - Additional bricks may be ordered until April 15th online for $35.00. Anyone who missed ordering may no do so at     https://4everbricks.com/donors/aes/     Bricks may have 3 lines of 16 total spaces on each line. Remember to count the letters and the spaces.        A new feature is available for past orders and current orders - a small desktop replica of your brick may be ordered online.                                                                       

     

                   BECOME A PART OF THIS FUN PROJECT BY VOLUNTEERING!

Our most pressing needs currently are:

1. Books on gardening or nature, pre-k - 5th grade level for the library may also be donated (new or in good condition used).   
2. Printing services for photo release forms and invitations are needed. The invitations will be to the "Open Garden" celebration that will be held when the majority of the work is completed. 
3. Sand blasting or power washing is needed on the blue wrought iron benches in front of the school so they can be repainted. They currently have peeling paint that needs to be removed.
4. Funds are being provided by each garden club and the Plant America Grant. It is a big project and financial donations are certainly welcome. 

As we progress there will be many other opportunities to help. 

If you wish to help contact:  aesprojectvolunteer@gmail.com            

These Committees can always use more help. Use the email address above to inquire.             

• Liaison with clubs, organizations, and businesses, etc.
• Getting the word out - word of mouth
• Getting the word out - social media and news outlets
• River rocks - We need more rocks for students to paint. If you can donate rocks please let us know we will find volunteers to put the two coats of paint on them.
• Diggers - This is the transplant team and their work is completed for now but there will be future opportunities.
• Book shoppers - We are looking for shoppers and book donors of pre-K to 5th grade gardening, nature, bird, ecology, environment, and bug books. The books can be new or in good used condition.