Orchard

The Orchard School, a magnet school for math and science for Cleveland public school students through grade five, was chosen as our national model for the School Grounds as Community Parks initiative. The Cleveland Foundation contributed a $100,000 challenge grant to the overall initiative, with an additional $50,000 for the Orchard School site specifically to engage Robin C. Moore of North Carolina University. Mr. Moore directed 14 community forums and brought together children, parents, and neighbors to create a bold vision for their park. As a result of a partnership between Cleveland Public Art and ParkWorks, Brinsley Terrell, the artist responsible for the ironwork at the Botanical Garden's Hershey Garden, designed and constructed the beautiful, unique fencing surrounding the project.

"The Schools Grounds as Community Parks initiative is worthy of significant support because it is an exciting example of how true partnerships can improve our city. Our goal in funding Orchard School was to create a model site that would not only bring together national experts with local resources, but would also create best possible community park that would set a new standard for our collective efforts," notes Steven Minter, Executive Director of The Cleveland Foundation.

This project has truly brought together dozens of partners, foundations, corporations and individuals who provided financial support, including: The Cleveland Foundation, The 1525 Foundation, and The Raymond Wean Foundation. IBM also donated laptop computers and peripherals for students to use in the learning garden to support interactive learning.

Orchard Site Features:

• Two sprawling playgrounds that are aligned with the school's partner, NASA, including a "space-aged" structure with a climbing wall and curving ladders;
• A whimsical wrought iron fence surrounding the site by Brinsley Terrell;
• A comprehensive ecosystem by the Cleveland Botanical Garden that includes wildlife, a vegetable garden, a flower garden and wetlands;
• An outdoor classroom with theater-style benches that is integrated into the landscaping;
• A gazebo made possible with labor donated by the Ohio Vicinity Regional Council of Carpenters;
• Benches and tables for students to eat lunch or just rest;
• A field for baseball, kickball or other outdoor activities;
• The enhancement of the existing handball court to preserve a neighborhood tradition; and
• Funding by the St. Ann's Foundation for ongoing programs and events that will include, for example, handball tournaments, garden activities and concerts.