New School Garden Approved for Ebinger School in the 41st Ward!

Open Space Impact Fees for School Garden Projects

The next ordinance authorizes $248,000 in Open Space Impact Fees for the construction of school

gardens in the Hermosa, Edison Park and Jefferson Park communities.

The City will provide the funds to Openlands for the construction of the Kelvyn, Ebinger and

Farnsworth School gardens. Openlands will work on all aspects of the garden creation process

including garden design, installation and curriculum support. The garden will be maintained by

students, teachers and volunteers from the community.

The Kelvyn Park High School garden at 4347 W. Wrightwood Ave. in the 31

$41,000. The budget for the Ebinger School garden at 7341-45 W. Farwell Ave. in the 41

be $107,000 and $100,000 will be allocated to the Farnsworth School at 5414 N. Linder Ave. in the

45

Each school garden project involves the removal of asphalt, addition of native plants and

construction of outdoor seating connecting children to nature and promoting environmental

stewardship. The three gardens are part of a dozen such projects that have been created over the

past year.

Openlands is a nonprofit agency dedicated to preserving and creating open space.

Open Space Impact Fees are fees collected from new residential developments in each of the City’s

community areas to help create open space and recreational facilities for residents.