Community rallies to save vital teaching garden from destruction

During a recent government meeting, community members passionately advocated for the preservation of a vital teaching garden that faces potential destruction due to plans for a new high school, New Valley High. The garden, which serves as a community hub and educational resource, is recognized not only for its agricultural contributions but also as a registered way station for endangered monarch butterflies.

Eleni Grog, a member of the Santa Clara Teaching Garden and Adult Education, emphasized the garden's role in fostering community connections and providing stability in a transient area. She urged the board to consider alternative locations for the new school to protect the garden, which has been cultivated over decades and offers unique gardening opportunities for local residents.

Jessica Chen, another garden member, highlighted the garden's educational significance, noting that it serves a diverse demographic ranging from children to seniors. She pointed out that the garden is one of the few teaching gardens in the Bay Area, offering ongoing classes and promoting intergenerational collaboration. Chen stressed that the garden's rich biodiversity and established ecosystem cannot be easily replicated if destroyed.

Janice Carey, also from the teaching garden, shared her experience as an educator, noting that her classes have consistently attracted a significant number of students. She expressed gratitude for the board's previous visit to the garden, reinforcing the importance of the space for educational growth.

The discussions underscored a strong community desire to balance the need for improved educational facilities with the preservation of a cherished natural resource that has become integral to local identity and environmental stewardship. Community members are calling for the board to explore solutions that would allow both the development of New Valley High and the continued existence of the teaching garden.