COURTYARD REVITALIZATION
Our Projects and Aspirations
Here are the plans we have for the space! For updates, check out the PROJECT UPDATES section!
We have big hopes, big dreams and of course big plans for our courtyard! This outdoor space provides us with many opportunities to engage our kids in outdoor education, learning and social activities.
Check out below our plans and how they are coming along!
Project 1. Central Flowerbed and Garden
This central concrete structure was at one point a fountain and focal point of the courtyard. Due to vandalism and it not being used it was removed and left full of standing water. Given that it is no longer usable as a fountain we have decided to turn the concrete structure into a flowerbed and garden area. Holes were drilled for drainage, the old timbers and deal brush was removed and will be used inside the planter. New brick will be installed around the perimeter of the planter, as well as the outsides will be built up taller made more aesthetically pleasing. It will be sure to be the focal point of the courtyard when we are done!
BEFORE
Project 2. East Wall Flower Beds
This area was overgrown with Juniper bushes and weeds. We took to removing the old, overgrown and deal plants in order to ready the space to be built up and replanted with vegetables, herbs and other plants. We are going to leave the trees, and make the planters a little taller so as to make it easier to work on. These new planters will be used for the majority of our garden work.
BEFORE
Project 3. West Wall Flower Beds
This area was also overgrown with junipers, full of rocks, and dead bushes. We took to removing all of this to prepare for new plants and growth. It has been a challenge to remove all the roots of the junipers but we are using all of our muscles to get it done! We are also reusing some of the old timbers from the central flower bed to build up the planter around the basement windows in order to protect them from the work that is about to take place. We will also be painting murals and adding some serious colour to the grey walls!
BEFORE
(it is hard to see the plants due to the lighting, but you cansee the outline of some overgrown and filthy junipers!
Project 4. Vine Wall
Along this wall we have plans to grow a vine wall to cover up the brick and add some needed colour to this outdoor space. This will be held up by lattice and will be a beautiful live addition! Along with the vine wall, we are planning to incorporate some wall mounted benches for students to use. This vine wall will be complemented by newly painted walls along the West side, to hide some of the boring grey!
Project 5. Upper Terrace
This will be where a large project will be taking place! We are adding picnic tables to the space for students to use for classes and for a social space. We have purchased some patio space heaters to make this a more usable space when the weather isnt 100%! As well, picnic tables will be spread throughout the main courtyard space. As well, we will be placing a large mural along the grey wall space below the brick, spearheaded by Mr. Wardrop and his art class. The railing will be repainted to fit in with our theme of "new and awesome!"
Project 6. Rain Water Collection
We have purchased a 200 gallon water tank to help us in our rain water collection efforts. We will be routing collected water from the roof top into this tank, and from there it will be used to water our plants and vegetables.
We are looking at purchasing a solar panel and pump set up to move water from the tank into a drip irrigation system. This will not only reduce our water usage, but ensure we are not using treated town water for our project!