Meany Courtyard/Garden Outdoor Education Project

Meany has two outdoor garden courtyard spaces that are enclosed within the building footprint. One of the courtyards (North Courtyard) students and staff pass through daily. The second one (Interior Courtyard) is a small courtyard accessible through two entry points, a staff lounge and a conference room. The larger North Courtyard runs the length of and in between the two main hallways of the building and is accessible through three different entry points. The North Courtyard can be seen through many classroom windows. 

The two courtyard spaces are overgrown and have endured decades of neglect since the 1960’s. They were left out of the newest remodel of the school due to budgeting constraints. (If you attended the Meany Art Festival last year you saw the larger courtyard space which was where seating and the BBQ grill were set up.) 

Meany parents Anna Davidson (PTSA Liaison) and Jennifer Guthrie (Landscape Architect) have been working collaboratively with Principal Oatis and teachers from the Art Department, Special Ed, and Science Department to envision plans for reworking these spaces! Their committee is now part of a larger team effort including collaborations with reps from Seattle Public Schools, Seattle Public Utilities, Seattle RainWise Program, and IslandWood Educational Curriculum Development. Some of their focus thus far has been on creating….

Smaller Interior Courtyard:  Sensory garden to aid in life-skills for Special Ed; tables and seating to accommodate a class of 30 to enjoy outdoor, protected, safe learning space by any department teachers/staff.

Larger North Courtyard:  Outdoor installation of art projects or mural painted by students; outdoor educational space and meeting area for classes of all kinds; garden beds for planting edible plant/herb/flower gardens; 8th grade garden stewardship program; after school enrichment + outdoor science and gardening programs; biofiltration/pollinator gardens.

See drawings/details for the project:

Accomplished so far:

  • Complete Landscape Architect drawings created for smaller courtyard and preliminary drawings for larger courtyard.

  • Approval from SPS for smaller courtyard space

  • SPS committing to supply some workforce such as dead tree removal and pressure washing of concrete for smaller courtyard.

  • Vision/collaboration meetings with the Art, Special Ed program, Science teacher liaisons, reps from Seattle Public Schools, Seattle Public Utilities, Seattle RainWise Program, and IslandWood Educational Curriculum Development.

  • Smaller courtyard has been funded by the PTSA. Courtyard cleanup completed. Smaller Courtyard was on schedule to be completed for the 2019-2020 school year but due to Covid-19 will be completed as soon as we can enter the school to finish the planting, irrigation, and purchase table/chairs to accommodate a full class.

  • The Art department conducted their first class outside in this space in 2020.

  • All students were asked to participate in feedback and idea sharing through a three-part Advisory Lesson where drawings and designs were shared and feedback and ideas were solicited. New drawings were then created based on student feedback.

  • Some funding secured through Seattle Public Utilities, Seattle RainWise program, and Meany PTSA to start the first phase of construction on the North Courtyard in Fall 2020. 

Next Steps:

  • The larger North Courtyard will be completed in phases as funds are raised.

  • Volunteer Grant Writers Needed! We are seeking parent volunteers to work with us to help secure grant money for this project. No prior grant writing experience necessary.

  • Donations sought for pots, seeds, soil, outdoor education features, etc., and hands on help will also be needed as the project moves forward.

  • Looking for in-kind construction services such as demolition, paving, building raised beds for learning garden, etc.

Please join us in helping to create an incredible outdoor learning space which will benefit ALL students at Meany for years to come!

If interested in helping with this project, please contact Meany PTSA Garden Project Liaison, Anna Davidson.