Using concepts prepared by the community, ASLA volunteers prepared a garden plan and construction drawings. The garden comprises six ecological communities: a butterfly garden, rain garden, wetland garden, edible garden, meadow garden, and shrub garden; as well as a memorial and marquee garden.
Photos Courtesy of ASLA Potomac Chapter

The refurbishment of the 1938 Coolidge High School Greenhouse Garden was a result of a partnership between ASLA Potomac Chapter, Coolidge High School, ACE D.C., the Calvin Coolidge Alumni Association, and the Office of Public Education and Facility Management.

At the ASLA mentoring sessions, students learned about the importance of soil permeability and conducting a soil percolation test to determine the best location for the rain and wetland gardens. More than 50 students and community members participated in a design day charrette hosted by ASLA volunteers.

The District of Columbia Office of Public Education Facilities Modernization provided the service to construct the garden's infrastructure, using materials donated by landscape vendors. Aggregate was donated by Stabilizer Solutions; drainage mats were donated by American Wick; irrigation was donated by Rainbird, Hunter Industries, Deep Drip, and Rainwater Pillow; lighting was donated by Hunter FX Lumiere. More than 120 students and community members worked with the ASLA volunteers to plant the garden on three build-it-days. Bartlett Tree Experts provided pruning services; DC Forestry Department helped to transport materials, and garden equipment was loaned to the volunteers by Greater DC Cares, the District of Columbia Department of Transportation, Urban Forestry Administration, and District of Columbia Department of the Environment.

Volunteers worked in the garden among the trellis and GreenScreens, the vertical elements in the garden landscape. The trellis was donated by ICON Shelter Systems and the GreenScreens were donated by Green Screen/ BV Associates.

ASLA volunteers prepared interpretative signage for the garden to inform students and the community on the ecological function of each of the garden. Signage was donated by Southwood Corp.

Benches, planters and trash receptacles were provided by DuMor Site Furnishings, Landscape Forms, and Barbara Nolan, Inc., The Brookfield Company, Tournesol Site Works, Ultraplay and Victor Stanley. A bridge, donated by Ohio Grating, services as a central walk over the rain and wetland gardens.