Raised Bed Education Garden and Kickoff Event

Scholars: Jacquie Morges

The Raised Bed Education Garden and Kickoff Event expanded a long-closed, City-owned site in Lancaster’s SoWe neighborhood into a vibrant, community-centered environmental education hub. Building on an existing rain barrel and compost bin, the first phase of the project added a raised bed education garden and launched the space during a Fall Earth Day event in October 2025. More than 350 residents attended, participating in hands-on gardening, watershed education demonstrations, and creative activities that emphasized composting, stormwater management, pollinator plants, and everyday actions that protect local waterways.

Community members helped construct and plant the raised bed garden using a closed-loop system that incorporated on-site compost and Hugelkultur techniques. The project exceeded engagement and partnership goals, strengthening existing collaborations and creating eight new partnerships. Looking ahead, a second phase in spring 2026 will significantly expand the garden, add pollinator plantings and infrastructure, and continue regular community education and shared harvests, establishing the site as a lasting model for neighborhood-based watershed stewardship.

The kickoff event also served as a powerful platform for environmental education and neighborhood connection. Interactive demonstrations and tabling by local organizations helped residents understand how practices like composting, rainwater capture, native planting, and food growing directly support watershed health. By combining hands on learning with art, music, and food, the event created an inviting atmosphere that welcomed residents of all ages and backgrounds into conversations about stewardship and sustainability.

Although the project site is designated for temporary use, the garden has already become a recognizable and trusted community asset. Ongoing maintenance and programming will be shared by residents and partners, with regular garden tours and open harvest opportunities planned. The collaborative approach demonstrated through this project offers a scalable model that can be replicated at other city owned sites, supporting long term community leadership in environmental education, green infrastructure, and clean water action.