from Darren Boch, National Parks Service:
The temporary garden was planted at 287 Convent Avenue, the Grange’s former home, on June 17 by students participating in the First Bloom program. Students from Ms. Torres’ fourth-grade class at PS 153 created the garden’s layout with help from advisors from the New York Horticultural Society. They were joined for the planting by members of the Harlem Boys and Girls Club.
First Bloom is a nation-wide program developed by the National Park Foundation to help connect urban youth with the outdoors and the national
parks through gardens comprising plants native to the area where they live. The students learn about the plants and gardening, design and plant the
gardens and then help tend them. In turn, they receive a sense of accomplishment, pride in their neighborhoods, and a stake in helping to
conserve and protect the national parks
