WELLSVILLE, Ohio (WKBN) – Children at Garfield Elementary in Wellsville can expect lessons taught outdoors. A new outdoor learning center is in the works and has been launched through the love of their director.
The pavilion is directly across from the main entrance to Garfield Elementary. What was there was a house that belonged to an elderly woman.
After an agreement was reached between her and the school principal and her husband, the deed was signed at the Columbiana County Land Bank. Then finally, it passed into the hands of the school district.
“I knew I wanted to do something for the kids at school and we came up with the idea of an outdoor learning center because we’re pretty landlocked here at school,” the headmistress said. of Garfield Elementary, Lisa Ferguson.
Knowing what she wanted to do with the land, Ferguson had to find a way to turn an idea into reality.
“We started with a challenge to the community. We raised funds for the whole project. Luckily, it hasn’t cost our school district any money so far,” she said.
They raised around $23,000.
It’s not ready yet, but Ferguson knows what’s going on.
“We will have picnic tables under the pavilion. We will have raised gardens for each grade level behind the pavilion and then hopefully eventually fence it off for security,” she said.
Third-grade student Abby Cooper has already gotten involved. It won a “design the sign” competition and it will be placed on the pavilion.
“He’ll say ‘designed by this student,’ and he’ll say ‘Outdoor Learning Center, Garfield Elementary,'” Ferguson said.
A project that began with the love of a principal will help students for years to come.
“I love the students in this community,” Ferguson said. “It’s something that’s going to be there for those kids long after I’m gone and something they can enjoy for hopefully many years to come.”
The plan is to have this project completely finished and ready to go by the time the school year begins in the fall.
