A n O utdoor C l assroom P r epa r e d
H ow Athletic Fields
f or t h e
G row O ur G arden : f or
M ulti -G eneration al , E xp eriential E duc ation F or A ll
S p r i n gf i e l d J e w i s h C om m u n i t y C e n t e r S p r i n g 2012
P roposed G arden D esign
educ ational communit y space ?
The new JCC Garden is located within the current fenced-in playground area, accessible by the children’s programs wing, or by three parking areas. The garden design is inspired by the four holy cities of Israel, and their associated elements: Jerusalem (fire), Tiberias (water), Hebron (earth), and Safed (air). The design creates opportunities for Judaic and local ecological education in each “city” area. Playground
Parking Lot JCC Building
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JCC Building Parking Lot
The most heavily used areas are the playground equipment and the ball arena. Soil around the oak tree is compacted and sandy, and some existing shrubs block views from inside the building to the front door—a potential safety issue. More clearly articulated use patterns could help the oak tree’s health and attract more and varied users.
A nalysis T he
C an
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ball game arena / outdoor classroom
bench playground equipment
JCC building
2 work table
parking
raised beds
T he R aised B eds
of J erusalem Echoing the hills of Jerusalem, handicap-accessible raised beds grow vegetables symbolic of the element of fire. Tomatoes, peppers, and other vegetables growing here are roasted in kid-made outdoor solar ovens.
compost bench 4
Tiberias
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4 Jerusalem Hebron
T he
matriarch ’ s orchard The concrete pad where water currently pools is replaced by an orchard, honoring Judaism’s matriarchs, who are buried in Hebron. Fruit grown here is taken home for the New Year each fall. In accordance with Jewish tradition, a portion of these fruits are donated to local food banks. The central gazebo is refurbished and tables & chairs are added so that all can sit and enjoy the space.
gazebo
fruit trees
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4
this shape inspire a garden design ?
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Water pools in a few low points in the middle of one walkway, and southwest of the gazebo. Water could be slowed and captured in the garden’s quick-draining, sandy soils for helping grow vegetables.
The garden area’s sandy soil lacks organic matter and is prone to droughts. Soil amendments are required to have a productive garden here.
pl ayground shaped roughly like I srael ...
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Tzfat
The concrete pad and gazebo are rarely used, and receive plenty of sunshine. This area may be better used by transforming it into a garden space and infiltrating the water that pools here.
parking
tool shed
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The Sea of Galilee, Israel’s largest source of freshwater, is symbolized here by the garden’s water spigot, where vegetables are washed. Tiberias was also the home of ancient Israel’s high court; a shaded work bench here creates space for deliberating over interesting bugs & flowers, and learning about new vegetables.
The playground is a popular pass-through for parents and their children coming and going to and from various JCC programs. Can this central location be more productively used as a program and community space for all potential users?
to main entrance
L earning W aters
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Converse Street
On the Springfield/Longmeadow border, near the center of the Harold Grinspoon Jewish Community Campus, the JCC playground is easily accessible from B’nai Torah Synagogue, and Heritage Academy, giving this space the potential for wide community use.
P ollinator H abitat
Tzfat’s airy mysticism and relatively cool climate is recalled here by a pollinator garden underneath the large oak tree. Students may catch sight of butterflies and hummingbirds through the classroom windows, and enjoy fragrant plants while outside. An existing ball game arena is transformed into a dual-purpose outdoor classroom.
Dickinson Street
Heritage Academy
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A h ro n L e r m a n , M.A .
c an we transform the pl ayground into an
B’nai Torah Synagogue
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by
T he
garden design lends itself to many activities that c an
incorporate environmental themes based on J udaic values , like :
•B al T aschit (D o N ot D estroy ) •L’ ovda U’ l ’ shomra (T o W ork and K eep the L and ) •S homrei A damah (G uardian of the E arth ) •T ikkun O l am (R epair of the W orld ) •T zedakah (J ustice )