Kurtis Roberts, Landscape Architect

[Avanti/Madison Garden Communication]

I want to express my thanks to Katya, a Madison parent who put me in
touch with Kurtis Roberts, a Landscape Architect. In addition to his
professional expertise as a landscape architect, Kurtis also has
experience in helping to design an educational garden at Komachin
Middle School. He is willing to volunteer on this project to help
with the design and plans to come to the first design meeting on
12/10! He also shared the following excellent points to consider as
we move forward:

*If this is part of class project it might be fun to have the
students measure the area and draw a plan (measuring & scale).
* Are there grants available?
o Do you want to target the design to meet the grant
criteria?
* Perhaps provide a list of things that could be included in a
garden for the kids to select from?
o Raised vegetable beds (types of vegetables etc…), woody
plants e.g., raspberry & blueberries.
o Composting station.
o Cutting flowers.
o Tool storage?
o Benches?
o Information kiosk explaining to community what the garden
is or how they can be involved/donate?
+ The school sees a lot of community traffic during
non school hours; it’s a chance to educate them about the project?
o Will the garden incorporate anything besides edible
plants?
+ E.g. a small native area or a rotten log for a “bug
ecosystem”.
+ Rainwater cycles? Near a downspout or incorporating
a rain garden?
* Who else would be interested or affected by the project?
o Any liability administration is concerned about?
o Maintenance personal having extra responsibilities?
o Concerns for security or vandalism?
o What happens with the food produced? Used for a meal @
the school?
* Will the students help determine the location of the garden?
o Practical considerations; sun exposure, access to water.
Limitation on where a garden would be allowed or space constraints?