WHS Learn+Play Gardens (Wm. Hammerschmidt Elementary School)

Project Mission

The mission is to create a progressive landscape that includes updated play equipment, outdoor classroom zones including an Edible Garden, hardscape for recreation, and green space for active recreational sports as well as passive recreation and conservation opportunities to serve WHS students, neighborhood families and the greater Lombard community. Together, we are working to transform an ordinary schoolyard into a dynamic center for learning, health and fitness, conservation and community.

In spring 2013 the “WHS Edible Garden” was built with support from DuPage FORWARD, and construction with over 100 parent, student, and teacher volunteers.  The garden includes six raised beds (one for each grade), a shed, seating area, and compost zone. Students throughout the school all sowed seeds, and planted the garden prior to summer vacation. A “Summer Garden Club” made up of families, scouts, students and neighbors maintained the garden over the summer; when students arrived to start the 2o13-14 school year, the garden was thriving. “WHS…A Great Place to Grow” is the theme for the school year, and each grade has their own raised bed that is integrated into the curriculum at Hammerschmidt. Plans are underway to build cold frames so the growing season can be started even earlier in the spring, allowing students to have more time to work in the garden while school is in session. Additionally fruiting shrubs and trees will be added this year.