Pleasant Corners Public School & Let Them Be Kids: GREENERY

Build Day Tree/Shrub Planting Concept & Interpretation
by Michael Mazure

The planting scheme was developed using the donated plant material and plants on-hand from the school area. Incorporating the diverse material challenged the design but this was not insurmountable once an overall theme was conceived.

The overall theme for the planting concept was based on history (e.g. Past teachers, etc), renewal and diversity whereas the pathway itself symbolized the walkway of life.

The pathway has its starting point at the perennial bed, which in itself represents the yearly renewal and ever blooming of flowers, which come back each year similar to the students who return for yet another year at Pleasant Corners Public School.

Though not mentioned, the first bed planting contains a Bur Oak tree (standing alone). Al Dunsmore was instrumental in establishing PCPS when he was Superintendent at the time. His objective in the school design itself was the central location of the library as the hub of learning, with classrooms around its perimeter. Like all oak trees, this species stands tall and ‘’mighty’’ and will last through the ages to grow strong and to tower over all others as it seeks sunlight (wisdom) and spreads its branches (knowledge).

As one walks along the pathway, with its twists and turns the trees and shrubs as donated by various individuals are like the various individuals that we encounter in our day to day lives. Each person or family, who donated plants have their own specific reason for choosing the plant to be incorporated into this planting project. (It might be worthwhile to find out the reasons for their specific choice)

As in life our pathway is never a straight line and our goals change from time to time, another reason for the curves in the PCPS planting. Equally as we go through life we are impacted upon from both positive and negative forces which results in a change of direction and/or those goals and personal objectives that we set for ourselves.

The Corporal Patrick Lormand planting is one such impact that has affected us all. This is the only true formal planting within the concept. The four (4) maple trees (symbol of Canada – Flag etc) are planted in a square formation representing four guarding sentinels. They are orientated N-S-E-W and represent the four borders of our country. Within this the four Purple Leaf Sand Cherry (PLSC) plants represent four personal guards, that are safeguarding the memory of Corporal Lormand now and for future generations, and the sacrifice he made as a Canadian Peacekeeper. The PLSC plants are positioned in a wrap around pattern to the side and behind the bench. The bench is situated so that a person sitting will view and see the play structure and school yard areas.

As we continue down the path, the large bed signifies diversity. This diversity is found within our culture, people and ideas and also of the children that attend PCPS. This bed utilizes both deciduous and conifer tress.

At this point the path splits and heads towards the play structure and the outdoor classroom. The idea here is that the children are at school to play and be safe, have fun and make friends. The other direction towards the outdoor classroom signifies that the children are also attending school to learn and receive an education.

The last area in the design is the Teachers Garden/Forest. As educators, teachers must be recognized. Their tireless efforts and devotion provide the foundation of learning for the adults of tomorrow and truly sets them apart from other professions. This planting is set apart from the other areas and is situated adjacent to the school. This in my mind is truly their special area and should remain so till perpetuity.

Michael Mazure

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Purchased Trees/Shrubs to Be Planted at PCPS on Build Day (May 29, 2010)

“In Memory / To Honor…

In Memory of/to Honor - Purchaser - Tree or Shrub

Allan Dunsmore & Therese Belenger-Dunsmore - Michael Mazur - Bur Oak

Roger Anthony Booth - Booth/MacCormick Family - Syrinsa 'Ludwig Spaeth'

Bill & Alice McKinnon - Don & Marlene McKinnon & Family - Crimson King Maple

Bob Bennett - Linda Bennett - Sugar Maple

(Communities That Care) - CTC Youth Group - Crabapple Radiant

Carrie Greenwald - Mark Greenwald - Crimson King Maple

For the Kids - Barbara Neate - Acer 'Crimson King'

For the Kids - Mme Losos - Princeton Gold Maple

Helen MacLeod - Melissa MacPhee - Weeping Mulberry

Helga & Karl Wieferig (Oma & Opa) - Tamra Lavoie - Syringa Pocahontas

Horace Nixon & Betty Nixon - Don & Marlene McKinnon & Family - Emerald Queen Maple

Ian MacWhirter - Greta MacWhirter - Japanese Lilac

Jean Ward - Karl Holmes - Harvest Gold Decorative Crabapple

John Gregoire - Monique Gregoire - Crimson King Maple

Linda Burwash - PCPS Staff - Norway Maple

Lisa + Linda MacKinnon + Michael Rosenquist - Amelanchie Canadensis 'Serviceberry'

M. McCall - Mongolian Linden - Harvest Gold

Monica Vogel - Fraxinus Autumn Purple

Omi - the Tollis Family - French White Lilac

Richard Hague - Paul & Elisabeth & Family - Emerald Queen Maple

Roger Schaerer - Family of Schaerer- Young's Weeping Birch

Ronny Kerec - Sonia Kerec & Family - Emerald Cedar (x2)

Ronald Handfield - La Famille Handfield - Crimson King Red Maple

Sharon Macleod - Melissa MacPhee - Maple Red Crimson

Rhonda Lynn Robinson (Nov 24, 1965 - July 26, 1980) - Sheila Robinson - Twisty Baby Locust

Tom Higginson - PCPS Staff - Sugar Maple Acer Saccharum

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MRS. DUNSMORE PLANS OUR NATIVE GARDEN

Great thanks to Mrs. Therese Dunsmore, a former French teacher at PCPS whom has provided us with a preliminary drawing of the garden she has designed for us. We are trying to create a garden with as many native perennials as possible as they are hardier for our environment. This is a good opportunity to mention what items are needed and how much…

HOW CAN I DONATE OTHER THAN MONETARILY?
Dimensions of the garden - 60 square metres
How much topsoil is required - 18 cubic metres
How much mulch is required - 4 cubic metres
How much edging is required - 60 metres
Approx time for use of backhoe to prepare the plot – 2/3 hours