May 2004

The PTA continued its support of the garden this year by funding the next stage of walkway building.

Robert Hughes, carpentry teacher at Cheney Tech, has taken on the job with his students.

Everyone was happily surprised when Jack of Sanford and Hawley sent along a forklift and operator to shift the lumber!

The planking we are using is made from recycled milk bottles mixed with sawdust. It lasts for a VERY long time and needs no maintenance. It is also very heavy.
Thanks, guys!!

We really, really appreciate it!
First, landscape cloth was laid after the guys grubbed out and mowed down some monster weeds.

Then the pressure treated 4x4 stringers were laid...onto which the deck is nailed.

The benefit of the boardwalk is in its usefulness for class studies. You can use the garden after a rain now without getting muddy feet. You can sit on the walk to take notes or sketch. You can lay down and watch clouds! Watching ants has never been so comfortable :-)
This large area is big enough for a class to set up tables with microscopes or gather for group instruction.