Del Mar Heights School Garden expansion

Feb. 23 marked a special occasion in the Del Mar Heights School (DMHS) Garden. On that Sunday, Solana Beach Presbyterian Church brought over 50 volunteers to join forces with the Garden Club to construct Phase 1 of the DMHS Garden expansion project. This project was sponsored by the DMHS PTA to create an edible classroom and offer students an inviting place to learn about plant and soil biology, health and nutrition, and to enjoy the outdoors.

Community members from 2 years old to senior citizens worked hand in hand in all parts of the project, from carpentry to transplanting and saving volunteer plants. Families from the school, neighborhood and church joined in the big day.

Del Mar Heights School has big plans to develop the unused parts of the campus into a welcoming Community Garden for all members of the community to enjoy. Future phases include construction of an amphitheater for small performances and demonstrations, a kitchen facility, raised vegetable beds and fruit orchards.

Local architectural designer Michael B. Wells and general contractor Austin Birch acted as foremen on Sunday and built large sturdy work tables and sinks. A decomposed granite foundation was laid around Betsy Schulz’s mosaic sea serpent and a greenhouse will be installed later this week.

The school opens the garden to the students and community on Wednesday afternoons from 12:30-2 p.m. Those interested in getting involved as well as just checking it out are welcome to stop by.

Photos/McKenzie Images.