The Peirce Garden
Known as the “Garden of Knowledge," the Peirce garden was designed to be used as an outdoor classroom for science, reading, art, and a host of other activities. Our newest addition, the Community Kitchen Learning Garden, introduces the families of Peirce to gardening, healthy eating, and creating an outside learning environment.
Spring activities include mulching, planting, learning and art activities, and a host of other hands-on gardening activities. Throughout the summer, parent volunteers and students water and weed the garden and harvest vegetables. Fall brings one last harvest and a produce sale to raise funds for future garden projects. Volunteer teachers, parents, students, and community members participate in garden maintenance throughout the year, including a large initiative each April during the annual Peirce Clean-Up Day.
Garden History
After the death of Helen C. Peirce, her husband and friends donated money in her honor to beautify the school and its grounds. Exterior work included a beautifully landscaped park designed by Jens Jensen. Unfortunately, the park was dismantled during the war because of the high cost of maintenance.
Gardening activities resumed in 1991 in the area west of the present garden as a volunteer classroom project under the guidance of many former and present Peirce teachers, parents, and community members. With their dedication and creativity a community garden has continued to flourish. The garden was then moved to its present location to make room for the new addition.
Eventually, the garden became part of a School Garden Initiative. It was awarded a School Garden Grant Initiative grant. Through the grant and in collaboration with the Chicago Botanic Garden, Chicago Park District, and Garfield Park Conservatory, the garden was enhanced and expanded to its present form.
Spring activities include mulching, planting, learning and art activities, and a host of other hands-on gardening activities. Throughout the summer, parent volunteers and students water and weed the garden and harvest vegetables. Fall brings one last harvest and a produce sale to raise funds for future garden projects. Volunteer teachers, parents, students, and community members participate in garden maintenance throughout the year, including a large initiative each April during the annual Peirce Clean-Up Day.
Garden History
After the death of Helen C. Peirce, her husband and friends donated money in her honor to beautify the school and its grounds. Exterior work included a beautifully landscaped park designed by Jens Jensen. Unfortunately, the park was dismantled during the war because of the high cost of maintenance.
Gardening activities resumed in 1991 in the area west of the present garden as a volunteer classroom project under the guidance of many former and present Peirce teachers, parents, and community members. With their dedication and creativity a community garden has continued to flourish. The garden was then moved to its present location to make room for the new addition.
Eventually, the garden became part of a School Garden Initiative. It was awarded a School Garden Grant Initiative grant. Through the grant and in collaboration with the Chicago Botanic Garden, Chicago Park District, and Garfield Park Conservatory, the garden was enhanced and expanded to its present form.
