Raised beds
WWA has 6 raised beds and a brick retaining wall at the south end of the front parking lot. We are very fortunate to have them!
A few years ago, two WWA parents, Chris Oster and Gregg McMahon, met up at a gardening event and became friends. Wanting to share their gardening and beekeeping experience with the community, they started talking about starting a gardening club at WWA.
Chris also volunteers with the Boy Scouts, and he recognized the potential for a mutual project: having Boy Scouts build a garden area for WWA as their Eagle Scout project. In summer 2010, Chris and Gregg worked with two Boy Scouts, Matt Thompson and Eric Rysdahl, to develop the plans for the raised beds and retaining wall that now grace the field directly south of the WWA front parking lot. In spring 2011, Matt and Eric finalized the plans and raised the money for the materials. The Boy Scouts completed their construction in June, and Chris planted the demonstration plants that are currently in the beds.
You can view more photos from the Boy Scout construction project on Flickr.
This summer, we grew tomatoes, corn, beans, and other vegetables. A basket near the front desk displayed the produce, and people were invited to take some home. WWA classrooms have also used the beds for instructional purposes.
Starting in spring 2012, the raised beds will be used for a community garden.
