In 2002 the staff at Highland Park started the Highland Park community garden. A 100 x 100 area was asked to be left un-sodded after the new fieldhouse lobby was built. In 2003, we received a $2,000 grant to do a  "History Alive" project in the garden, a movement and performance piece about the Vietnam War.  In 2004, we received a $5,000 grant to expand and design the garden into a 30,000 sq. ft.  "Outdoor Learning Center/ Communtity Garden".   In 2006, we received another $3,000 to do a special project called "Art in the Garden", which involved history students, art students, special education students and psychology students. Our community partner, Farm in the City, provided us with a garden manager each summer.  Over the years  the garden has been farmed by a non-profit organization for deaf Hmong farmers who started their own small farmer's market; It has been farmed by Macalester graduates studying urban agriculture;  It has been farmed by local organic chefs/farmers; It has been farmed by a U of M PhD. candidate doing research on hazelnuts;  It has been farmed by a recovery group.  The produce and flowers are used for a CSA (community supported agriculture) and given to food shelves. Each year the garden looks better and better and produces more and more food/flowers !   Over the years many students, staff and community members have been involved in the garden and made contributions.  The purpose of the garden in to inspire people to be active in their community, teach about health/food/ecology, and provide an urban natural space. Teachers use the garden for science, art, math, literature, or just a comfortable and inspiring  space to interact with students, eat lunch or meditate.

The Highland Park Community Garden is dedicated to learners and to the art
of learning in the hope that together we can create a sustainable society
that balances personal accomplishment with public purpose.