Due to the commitment of Fairview teacher Don Diehl, the garden is used each year as a resource for hands-on learning. School and community members envisioned a green, peaceful oasis in the midst of their neighborhood, and that is exactly what they got, plus a few perks like the habitat garden and the compost pile. Teacher dedication makes this gardening community strong, but it is the kids that have made it colorful. Their murals adorn the garden, adding color even in the cold winter months.

In 2004, students were involved in cultivating, harvesting and marketing garden-grown produce at the Osage Mercado. In 2005, students will run a neighborhood market, selling their fresh, organic produce to their neighbors, and learning valuable marketing skills in the process. There aren’t many supermarkets nearby, so this market will provide a valuable service to the neighborhood while bringing the community together.

This year (’05) the garden also has a new look. Recent renovations have included perimeter plantings, a new play area with a sandpit, boulders and benches, and an outdoor classroom learning area.