CPS site designs that integrate green spaces and other natural amenities can strengthen student connections to nature and provide needed functional spaces, productive gardens, and places of respite for the surrounding community. For natural amenities, care shall be taken to ensure maintenance does not allow the spaces to become overgrown or pose any security concerns.
Gardens
Gardens beautify the school grounds and the community, provide passive and hands-on learning opportunities for students, and can create environmental habitats for pollinators in urban areas. Refer to Section 1.8 Landscaping for lists of preferred plant materials to be integrated. These spaces can vary in size, intention, maintenance requirements, and appearance. Such planned spaces include:
- Edible Gardens
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Vegetable gardens, herb gardens, and other productive green spaces are considered assets to communities and schools.
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In order for these spaces to maintain functionality, the design must include water access – either to an exterior hose bib or other dedicated water connection
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Many CPS schools opt to build their own raised-bed planters or designate a space on site for growing vegetables, fruits, or other edible plants.
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Edible gardens can function as outdoor learning spaces, foster opportunities for community engagement, and provide access to healthy food options in urban environments.
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One of the largest considerations in the design of these spaces is the maintenance strategy, especially in summer months, when students and teachers are on break. During these months, the community may be engaged with the maintenance of schoolyard edible gardens.
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For further details on regulations for construction of edible garden spaces, refer to section "X" in the Garden Toolkit/EWYG Manual.
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‘Big Green’ Learning Gardens (Edible)
- Big Green is an organization that has provided flexible, modular-raised bed planters, seating, and shade structures to underserved schools.
- These garden beds are outfitted with a built-in irrigation system.
- The learning gardens promote academic engagement, increase knowledge about healthy eating, and strengthen community bonds.
- Refer to https://biggreen.org for additional information. Refer to Volume 3 Sections 1.5.1 Rainwater Management and Site Drainage, 1.7 Site Amenities, 1.8 Landscaping, and 1.10 Site Accessibility.
- Native Plants and Nature Gardens
- Include plantings that occur naturally in the state’s ecosystems.
- Native wetlands, savannas, prairies, woodlands, can all serve as inspiration for plant palettes.
- Gardens are intended to celebrate the natural heritage of Illinois and provide learning opportunities for site users.
- Sensory Gardens
- Places that engage the senses by including plantings and materials that produce sound, smell, visual interest, edible plants, and a variety of textures.
- Special care shall be taken to make sure all plants are non-toxic.
- Plantings shall offer an interactive experience for users.
- Sound-producing elements like wind chimes or rain-chains can be incorporated into these designs along with fragrant flowers and herbs, edible plants, and appealing textures like soft grasses.
- Butterfly or Pollinator Gardens
- Plantings that attract butterflies or other pollinator species, such as bees and hummingbirds, are used in butterfly or pollinator gardens.
- Reflection/Meditation Gardens
- Reflection or meditation gardens often integrate seating and a calming visual element, such as a rock garden or labyrinth.
- These gardens can be utilized as a place of solitude and respite, valuably contributing to the health and wellness of the users of the site.Reflection
- Rain Gardens
- Rain gardens provide a sustainable approach to rainwater collection and treatment while offering the benefits of native perennials, ornamental grasses, and groundcovers.
- Rain gardens have special maintenance and operational requirements and shall therefore be considered on an individual project basis based on school needs and resources.
Natural Lawns
Open natural turf lawns can offer flexible spaces for school and community events, games, or informal gatherings. For maintenance reasons, these spaces are generally minimized on CPS sites but may be accommodated with careful planning and maintenance strategies.