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In 1996 our 4th and 5th grade club members received a grant to create an
environmentally friendly garden in the front of our school. It became a
school-wide project as club members made classroom seed kits and planned the
overall garden design. Parents, students, scouts, and club members all
combined efforts in the planting of our wonderful BATS, BIRDS, AND BUTTERFLIES
GARDEN.
Over the years OUR GARDEN has received many new plants: annuals, perennials,
bushes, herbs, strawberries, roses, and butterfly bushes all to invite both
human and wildlife visitors. With its many additions it now encompasses the
entire peninsula bordering the parking lot!
Our several focus areas now include: A quaint Sunflower Garden Patio Area
with benches and picnic tables complete with umbrellas for sunny days, where
students and teachers can enjoy snack or lunch.
We have a series of Handicapped-Accessable Raised Beds where students can
plant with ease from wheelchair or standing pose. Each spring Miss Doneski's
students plant a vegetable garden here, and then maintain and harvest their
vegetables throughout the summer. Whether they eat their veggies raw, stir
fried, or in a hearty vegetable soup, the effort is worth the yummy reward!
Our newest area was designed by the Milford Garden Club. The paths and
bordering walkways form a giant oak tree design with intersecting paths and
small garden pods. Among the garden's various areas are a Mini Tree Farm, two
Scout Gardens planted and maintained by various scout troops, a Wildflower
Garden, and two separate Memorial Gardens.
One of the Memorial Gardens is planted in loving memory of former Live Oaks
teacher, Mrs. Cheryl Conte. The plaque atop the garden's tablet commemorates
the love and dedication that Mrs. Conte brought to her many years of service
at our school. The peaceful golden daffodils that bordering the garden each
spring are a reminder of her devotion to fund-raisers benefiting childhood
cancer patients.
Centrally located within the oak tree design, this newest garden commemorates
the World Trade Center Disaster. Among the heroes lost that day were two
former Milford residents and Live Oaks School alumni, Michael Miller a 1976
grad and Avnish Patel who graduated from the school in 1986. Former
Principal, Raymond Vitali, formed a committee of interested parents to assist
with the project. Live Oaks parent, Sue Borden, drew up a lovely landscape
design incorporating benches, plantings, and trees for the creation of a
peaceful and fitting memorial for the former students as well as the other
heroes lost in the tragedy. The garden was dedicated and now is open for the
citizens to view.
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