Partnerships create education opportunities for residents

Outreach for a Healthy Green Community

City of Cleveland’s Recreation Centers offer educational opportunities for residents.

By Thomas Masaveg, Public Programs Coordinator with Sharon Graper, Director of Education

Our Education Team delivers classes and learning opportunities on site at the Botanical Garden and the Arboretum. There is also a robust program for schools at all levels. What many may not be aware of is the important outreach programming done in the larger Northeast Ohio community. Holden’s vision is that “all communities transformed into vibrant places where trees, plants, and people thrive.” A wonderful example of how we are putting this vision into action is the exciting project begun in the summer of 2022 with the City of Cleveland.

Holden Forests & Gardens submitted a proposal to provide programming to Cleveland’s Neighborhood Resource & Recreation Center Programs and Activities Department. Did you know that the City of Cleveland has 21 recreation centers in neighborhoods all over the city? These centers provide free programming for all ages. After the pandemic the city requested proposals from partners to provide programming that had a special emphasis on helping residents develop resilience and focus on mental health. This is a significant opportunity to work with our neighbors, develop partnerships and introduce participants to the benefits of trees and green spaces in their own neighborhoods.

The first partnership in the summer of 2022 was with Estabrook Recreation Center. Estabrook is located at 4125 Fulton Avenue near the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Partnerships work best, last longer and have better outcomes if they are based on the needs of the client — not on the preconceived notions of the institution wanting to serve. This requires conversation, planning and flexibility.

Tom Masaveg, the public programs coordinator in the Education Department, took the lead. Masaveg met with the director of the Center to see what their needs and desires were. It was determined that programming for school age youth was their greatest need and, after several site visits, everyone involved felt that the front garden at the Center would be a great project to work on with the kids.

“Once the season officially started, we started by pulling all the weeds, identifying them, tasting the edible ones and even dressing up in the wearable ones,” says Masaveg.

“With the weeds out of the way, we moved on to soil,” Masaveg adds. “We made mudpies and collected some of the living critters in the soil to observe them and discuss their roles before releasing them again. Next, we mulched and graveled to create a safe distinct pathway, suppress weeds and prepare for planting. We moved some Hosta’s out of the path and into the beds. We learned the parts of a seed and planted several sunflower seeds. We made worm puppets and seed parachutes as crafts.”

Then the group was ready to start planting. They spent multiple sessions getting plants in the ground and watering. The kids wanted to attract butterflies, so they planted herbs to welcome them to the garden. Masaveg and the youth also planted Stevia because the leaves taste sweet, purple basil for parents to cook with, lemon thyme for the lemony smell and bronze fennel to attract black swallowtails. The kids were thrilled to find four caterpillars after the planting.

“The latest activity was to create some seating in our garden, which the kids decorated with decals. Much more to come,” says Masaveg. Over the past few summer months there has been more gardening, more weeding, more planting, a dead tree removal, preparation for a new tree and lots more engagement. Indoor light carts have been purchased to help continue programming during inclement weather. These programs are voluntary and held twice a week in the afternoon after school — and kids return again and again. Parents even stop by and ask questions. The greatest indicator of success is the center’s request for HF&G to continue programming this fall, which is currently underway, and into the spring of 2023.

The original proposal to the City provided enough funds for five seasonal programs. The City initially funded two. They have since come back and asked HF&G to provide all five and added a sixth based on our success at Estabrook.

Building partnerships takes continued work and repetition. The desired outcome is to help the kids to make an impact in developing a healthy green community in their neighborhoods. So far that is exactly what they are doing and what HF&G will continue to help them do.

MEET THE STAFF

Tom Masaveg grew up in inner-city Cleveland and now serves the city and region as a Public Programs Coordinator. His approach to education and curated experiences began when with an immersive residency in Ohio forests that spanned over a decade. His work in Montessori education and community art eventually aligned with a career at Holden Forests & Gardens offering outreach opportunities for youth and families. Tom’s intention to strengthen connections between people and their living environment is driven by the belief that we can all benefit from the natural world around us.