NJLCA Builds Outdoor Classroom and Sensory Garden for Special Needs School

The New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association (NJLCA) has just completed their 2015 Day of Service (DOS) project at The Forum School, located in Waldwick, New Jersey.  The Forum School is a private, non-profit, non- sectarian day school for students with Autism and other neurological dysfunctions. A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for Friday, October 2nd from 1:30-2:30 pm. All press and media are welcome.

Each year, members of the NJLCA volunteer their time and donate equipment and materials for their Day of Service project to help children in local communities.  This year, The Forum School was chosen for the NJLCA DOS project. The inspiration for the project came from Danielle Goldstein, an Occupational Therapy Assistant major at Eastwick College, and daughter of Rich Goldstein, Treasurer of the NJLCA.  The school requested a sensory garden to help teachers educate students about the different senses, using plant material with different colors, textures and scents and garden structures including a pondless water fountain and colorful “talk-tube” for sound. The NJLCA took it one step further and built an entire outdoor classroom, including built-in seating and raised planters. 

NJLCA Executive Director Jody Shilan, who designed the project, commented, “Our members really enjoy working together and giving back to local communities.  These projects truly are a labor of love and I am always so impressed with the generosity of our association members.”  Brian Detlefsen, Principal of The Forum School added, “When we first saw the plans, we expected a nice, colorful perennial garden for our students and teachers.  However, now that the project is complete, we are amazed at how beautiful the outdoor classroom is. We can’t wait to start using it.”

The NJLCA prides itself on the generosity and professionalism of its members, who have donated over $500,000 in goods and services to New Jersey communities during the past several years. These volunteer projects include the renovation of the Charles Mastik Memorial Little League Field, Little Ferry, NJ in 2014, Schulteis Farm, Clifton, NJ in 2012, Ho-Ho-Kus School in 2011, Fairview 9/11 Memorial in 2011, Eisenhower Middle School, Wyckoff, NJ in 2010 and No-Be-Bos-Co Boy Scout Camp, Blairstown, NJ in 2009.

The New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association (NJLCA), a non-profit, trade association for landscape contractors, has been encouraging professional standards and promoting the green industry for nearly 50 years and are a valuable resource to the contractor and industry.  The association is dedicated to advancing the integrity, proficiency and personal growth of the landscape professional.

Volunteer and Donor Companies:

Al D. Landscaping & Tree – Fairview, NJ

Angels Landscaping – Garfield, NJ

Aquarius Supply – Hawthorne, NJ

B & B Organic Waste Recycling – Elmwood Park, NJ

Barillo Landscaping – Elmwood Park, NJ

Bobcat of North Jersey – Totowa, NJ

Braen Supply – Haskell, NJ

Cambridge Pavingstones – Lyndhurst, NJ

Canete Landscape – Wayne, NJ

Cedar Hill Nursery – Mahwah, NJ

The Commercial Agency – Park Ridge, NJ

The Corner Nursery – Lodi, NJ

The Cutting Edge Landscape Maintenance – Sparta, NJ

DeBuck’s Sod Farm – Pine Island, NY

Downes Tree Service – Hawthorne, NJ

EarthWorks – Easton, PA

Eastwick College Students – Ramsey, NJ

Fisher and Son – Exton, PA

Gamka Sales Co. – Edison, NJ

Gil Santos Landscaping – Park Ridge, NJ

Green Meadows Landscaping – Oakland, NJ

Horizon Landscape Co. – Wyckoff, NJ

John Deere Landscapes – Franklin Lakes, NJ

Justin VanderSluys Landscape – Wyckoff, NJ

Freeman’s Auto – Harriman, NY

Kindergan Landscaping – Bergenfield, NJ

Kodiak Landscape & Design – Haskell, NJ

Kriegelscapes  - Teaneck, NJ

Landscapeworks – Hawthorne, NJ

Lawn Pro Landscapes/Leaves 2 Go – Hillsdale, NJ

Levanduski Landscaping – Allentown, NJ

Morris Brick & Stone – Morristown, NJ

New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association – Elmwood Park, NJ

Nursery Stock 2 Go – Passaic, NJ

R & J Land Care – Clifton, NJ

Royal Lawns of America – Wayne, NJ

Shemin Nurseries – Mahwah, NJ

Solarium Landscape Services – Wayne, NJ

The Terre Company – Clifton, NJ

VIP Landscape Service – Wall, NJ

Wallace Trucking – Mahwah, NJ

We Stop Deer – Long Valley, NJ

Yellow Wagon Landscaping – Ridgefield, NJ