M'ville school's garden plans unveiled

MERRILLVILLE | Building a community garden at Avicenna Academy could provide multiple benefits to students.

Over the summer, Avicenna Academy officials decided they would construct a community garden this year at the school at 9803 Colorado St., said Amanda Arceo, Avicenna Academy's principal.

She said the garden could promote community involvement while serving as an educational tool.

Matt Lake, executive director of Merrillville's Stormwater Utility, said at Tuesday's stormwater board meeting that he supports the garden and will assist the school during the project.

He hopes the garden will inspire others to pursue similar projects in the area.

Arceo said the garden will include native plants, which students will study. Students also will grow vegetables and herbs, she said.

The bulk of the crops from the garden will be donated to the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, Arceo said.

The school plans to begin building the garden in March. Students already started some projects, such as soil testing, in preparation.

Arceo said the school is seeking financial support and other donations as it plans the project. The school needs seeds, benches, tables and other items, she said.

People who would like to volunteer to help can call Arceo at (219) 736-7100.