Because that project was so successful, the garden site was moved recently to an eight-acre plot adjoining the Middle School property and bounded by a small creek and the railroad tracks.

Thursday, January 13, 2000

Because that project was so successful, the garden site was moved recently to an eight-acre plot adjoining the Middle School property and bounded by a small creek and the railroad tracks.

The expanded site has proven to be fertile soil for ideas as well as an endangered plant or two.

"We are working to create an outdoor classroom, not just for the middle school, but for all students and residents," said Susie Heyard, assistant superintendent of the Ironton City School District.

"We need the community’s interest and ideas," she added. "We have held preliminary meetings with Bob Culp of the Ohio University Southern Campus (OUSC) nature center at Vesuvius, and we have met with others from across the county as well as Scioto County."

However, Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Heyard want community input as they expand the scope of the project.

A special community meeting will be Thursday, Jan. 20, 6:30 p.m., at the Ironton Middle School band room. Mrs. Brown hopes residents will attend and share ideas and suggestions for the project.

"We brought in three loads of topsoil this fall," Mrs. Brown said. "The children had a ball leveling the dirt."

Student involvement of the project is critical, both agreed, adding that even summer has not deterred youngsters from being enthusiastic.

"Last summer, the children worked almost every day in the garden beginning at 8 a.m.," Mrs. Brown recalled. Among the produce they raised were green beans, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, corn and cauliflower.

Before the seeds were planted in the spring, students researched proper planting and cultivation methods as well as which plants thrive when planted in close proximity. The group also tested the soil pH level and found it is 6.5, which is considered nearly perfect, the fourth-grade science and social studies teacher said.

As the program grows, Mrs. Brown hopes to plant a variety of small gardens, such as plots devoted solely to wildflowers and herbs.

"The possibilities are endless," she said. "We hope to have a pond, which will let us do water studies. The area also is perfect as a wildlife habitat, so we are adding bird feeders and bird baths."

Other ideas include a simulated prairie area that would feature a variety of grasses and adding to the number and types of trees represented on the eight acres.

"We plan to build a bridge over the small creek so students can get there directly from the school," Mrs. Heyard said. "We also must develop a security plan to prevent anyone from falling in the pond once it is constructed."

Plans also include a parking lot big enough for school buses to turn around, a walking path and a wheelchair path to make the project more accessible to a wider range of individuals.

"We need manure, though," Mrs. Brown added with a laugh. "There just are a lot of rocks on the site. We may ask OUSC’s horse farm for help with that one."

What started as a small demonstration plot has grown into plans for a land laboratory, both agreed, adding that they hope the Jan. 20 meeting will encourage people to volunteer for committees to oversee a variety of projects.

"For example, we need to have someone contact the Norfolk & Western Railroad to make sure they don’t spray near the tracks in the spring and summer," Mrs. Brown said. "We have an endangered plant, the Virginia Mallow, so spraying could kill much-needed vegetation as well as the new plants."

The two hope the project will draw in students from across Lawrence County as well as from neighboring areas, such as Scioto County. Some of those districts already have outdoor classrooms, so they envision networked classrooms that enable students to share ideas and information about their projects.

"We want to be the hub for a pilot program," Mrs. Heyard said.

"This excites me to death," Mrs. Brown added. "It’s just moving too slowly."