Bedford Park Elementary School (PS77) Tree-Gardening Event Encourages STEM Learning and Community Building

With single trees planted in eight plain tree pits lining the front of Bedford Park Elementary School – PS77 – along

the sidewalk at 3177 Webster Avenue, Bronx, NY 10467, a group of committed parent volunteers, the PTA of Bedford Park Elementary School – PS77, sought out and submitted grant proposals for funding to help encourage science, civic engagement and neighborhood beautification by creating tree-pit gardens.

With generous support from mini-grants, the schools tree-pit gardens came to life on Saturday, June 9, 2018; bringing families from the community and school staff together as active participants in a service learning activity promoting community building and a hands-on learning experience around a science related topic.

Encouraging a strong sense of community and responsible caretaking, appreciation for the project was noted as neighbors walked by during the event and expressed sentiments of gratefulness for the generosity and beauty exhibited by the project. One local resident remarked saying “Thank you for helping to make our neighborhood more beautiful.”

“The Tree-Pit Garden Project offers an outstanding means for science and service learning, community building, neighborhood beautification as well as a welcoming learning environment. We look forward to doing more with our local community,” said PS77 PTA President, Shalana Morris.