CCA Nature Studies Garden And BBQ
The Cornerstone Nature Studies Garden opening was celebrated at the school BBQ on September 16. Students and parents gathered to hear Mrs. Becky LaMear briefly share the long-time vision for the Natures Studies Garden. Mr. Jeff Jones thanked individuals who have been a part of the process from committee to construction and Mrs. Brooke Cromwell acknowledged the installation of two beautiful Lace Bark Elms in memory of her grandmother Mrs. Kay McGibbon, who had a passion for gardening.
The ceremonial ribbon was then cut and the children poured into the new garden area to explore. Since the planters were not yet planted, Mrs. Kathy LeMay had each student in every grade decorate flower heads which were then assembled onto dowels and placed into large pots to create colorful flower bouquets. Many children found their flower and selected it from the pot. Within minutes, flowers were seen running all over the grass field. It was quite a sight!
On October 5th the soil arrived for the planters, and soon the irrigation will be installed. A team of moms, dads and students will help move the soil into place and the planting will begin, just in time for fall.
An important part of the garden is the composting area which was designed and constructed thanks to Pusch Ridge Christian Academy sophomore and Cornerstone alum, Kyle Cajero. The composting area was chosen by Kyle for his Boy Scout of America Eagle Project.
A special thank you to Bill and Becky LaMear and the Frances Chapin Foundation for providing the generous support needed to build the garden where it is today. We also wish to thank the landscape architects Philip Van Wyck of Van Wyck and Associates, and Eric Scharf of Wheat Scharf Associates, for their master plan garden design. The master plan will lead us through the many phases of Nature Studies Garden. Finally, we want to thank Paula at NW Landscaping for her generous advice and consultations, and Doug Hazel of AEC for donating the installation of the electrical.
The grand opening was just the beginning for a little garden that will continue to grow and change with the seasons. Begin your search through scriptures and discover what God has to say about His Creation…let’s plant seeds together with our Covenant children.
As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease. Genesis 8:22
