Help AARP Maryland Refresh Our Urban School Garden

In 2018 AARP Maryland worked with AARP Foundation to create an intergenerational outdoor space for children, teachers and adult mentors to learn, thrive and play. It was designed as a welcoming place for the entire community to enjoy and is strategically located at James McHenry Elementary/Middle adjacent to a community center and neighborhood walkways.

As the new school year begins, join AARP Maryland volunteers on Sept. 13 for our 2022 Day of Service, as we refresh an enriching outdoor space for students to learn, thrive and play.

Enjoy a day of teamwork and camaraderie as we create meaningful change in the community. We will provide t-shirts and all of the tools and materials you need. Lunch will be provided.

Check out our video of highlights from the 2018 “Big Dig!”

https://www.facebook.com/aarpmd/videos/10156576045634133/

WHEN:
Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE:
James McHenry Elementary/Middle School
31 South Schroeder St.
Baltimore, MD 21223

DETAILS:

James McHenry Elementary is a Title 1 school located in Baltimore, Maryland and serves children from pre-K through 5th grade. For this refresh project:

• A flagstone pathway will be added behind the existing veggie beds and a native pollinator garden will be created between the overhead structure and concrete walkway.
• A bird feeder, three bird houses and an insect house will be added along the flagstone walkway.
• We will add a concrete paver pad to place the rain barrel and adding a gravel walk for access.
• A stream table will be created for the Earth Science Station and tree stump seating and a movable whiteboard will go under the overhead structure. The soil within the veggie beds will be amended and new plantings will be added.
• The arbor and overhead structure will be stained, and a wind-vane and thermometer will be added to the existing pole.
• The roof of the overhead structure will be repaired.

Sign up now and choose what tasks you are interested in assisting with. We need volunteers for the following teams. REGISTER here.

Movers and Shakers: Carry bags of mulch, sand, or gravel. Push wheelbarrow filled with compost, sand, mulch, or gravel. Dig holes using shovels. Transport and carry flagstones.

Pruners and Planters: Remove weeds and place them in landscape bags. Add compost and amendments to soil and mix them in. Prune trees and/or bushes. Plant perennials, seeds, bulbs, or veggies. Clean up all plant debris.

Stainers and Painters: Sand, stain, and/or paint structures, features, and/or concrete. Manage paint and stain brushes and rollers, different color paints, use painting templates to create designs.

Clean up and Organizers: Help the other teams. Haul bags of debris or extra materials to dumpster. Sweep and rake around features and ensure site is left in a clean condition. (May help throughout the day and/or from 4-5 p.m. after project completion)

Jack of all Trades: Interested in helping any one of these teams, just sign me up!

Visit our REGISTRATION page for more details and to sign up!