TRAVERSE CITY -- The Traverse City West Middle School grounds got a face-lift last week, thanks to the Boys and Girls Club of Grand Traverse.
The club of 11-to-15-year-old Traverse City area boys and girls, who have used the school as their meeting place since October, are showing appreciation for the school's hospitality by cleaning up some existing gardens and replanting others with a selection of evergreens and perennials.
"The school doesn't always have the time or budget to keep up the gardens, we thought that was something we could do," said Kathryn Lepera, an AmeriCorps/VISTA volunteer working with the group. Under a grant from United Way and 4-H of Grand Traverse for service learning the Boys and Girls Club initiated "FRESH: Growing Healthy Kids & Community" and took on the project to beautify the school.
In cooperation with the MSU Extension and area master gardener, Lois Bates, club members weeded, pruned, watered and mulched before deciding on new plants to complete the gardenscape.
"We are planting a certain kind of rose and lilies that bloom a long time so that it will look nice for a long time," said Chad Ernest, noting that he has learned a lot about gardening in the process.
Master gardener Lois Bates, of Traverse City, has been happy to share her knowledge about plants and making them grow with the group.
"Everyone has done their part to make this work, it has really been a collaboration," said Bates, as she helped the young gardeners plan a layout for the newly purchased plants, selected to achieve a year-round garden feature.
In addition to reviving the existing gardens, the club plans to maintain them during the summer months.
"In the end, I think it will be a project that everyone will be proud of," said Lepera, noting that the group has plans to participate in other community service projects including volunteering at the grand opening of the Grand Traverse Conservation District's new nature center this weekend.
"We look forward to doing many projects here and in the community. It boosts their sense of belonging to the community," Lepera said.
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