Plans for Educational Garden for Students in Oxford Move Forward

Plans to convert four unused tennis courts into an educational garden for children are moving forward, the Republican-American reports.

The plan to convert the tennis courts behind Great Oak Middle School has been in discussion for two years.

According to the paper, Robert Owsiany, chairman of the agricultural commission presented an update on the project at Wednesday’s Board of Selectmen meeting. It would cost $2,800 to supply the wood and hardware for the project while there will be additional costs for routing water and electricity. There will be 40 4-by-8 raised wooden garden beds placed atop the asphalt at the tennis courts.

First Selectman George R. Temple said the garden would teach students not only about plants but also about business, as they might have the opportunity to sell the produce at local farmers markets, the paper reports. Temple said there are plans to apply for a grant to cover the full cost of the project, which is currently budgeted into the municipal side of this year’s capital plan at $25,000.

Chairwoman of the Board of Education’s facilities committee, Amy Cote, told the paper the board could not come to a decision on the project till they knew more details. They plan to discuss it at their Oct. 14 meeting.

Read the full story at the Republican-American.

Image via Shutterstock

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