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Youth Horticulture Apprentice Program: Season by Season
The Youth Horticulture Apprentice Program is the Ithaca Children's Garden's
longest running program and has grown alongside the organization over
the past several years.
1999-2000: On the Ithaca Commons
YHAP's first coordinator, Lee Ginenthal, was instrumental in setting up the programs basic structure. His work built upon an earlier apprentice program coordinated by Monika Roth and provided a solid foundation from which the program has grown. During the 1999 and 2000 seasons, the Ithaca Children's Garden hadn't yet identified a site for the Garden. As a result, the Youth Horticulture Apprentice Program was based at the Ithaca Commons. Apprentices planted and maintained the Commons planters, downtown traffic triangles, and other community beautification projects. Their centerpiece was the Tropical Bed.
2001-2002: In the Community
The YHAP transitioned to a community-based program in 2001 and apprentices spent their time on various horticulture and community beautification projects throughout Tompkins County. Science teacher Keith Thomson coordinated the program for these two years and led apprentices in work at sites such as the Farmers Market, the Reconstruction Home, the Purity Traffic Island, the Bridge to Science and city parks.
2003-2006: At the Ithaca Children's Garden
Under the guidance of coordinator Matt Gelder, the Youth Horticulture Apprentice Program transitioned to the Ithaca Children's Garden site at Cass Park in 2003. It was this season's crew that transformed the drab and dilapidated swings at the site into colorful resting places. In 2004 and 2005, Bart Auble took over as coordinator and apprentices efforts began to focus more and more on the Garden at Cass Park. During these two years, apprentices built the arbor at the Growing Gardens, planted the hedge of curly willows, designed and built two living sculptures and created several new garden beds. In 2006, coordinator Jeff Klein led apprentices in building a new compost system for the Garden, designing a wonderfully mathematical labyrinth, and revitalizing the herb garden.
2007: Transforming the Ithaca Children's Garden
Meghan Pressley joined the Ithaca Children's Garden to provide site coordination and leadership for YHAP in the spring of 2007. Meghan's in depth horticultural background and understanding of youth development led to one of the best YHAP seasons for the Ithaca Children's Garden. In addition to numerous projects aimed at beautifying the Garden in general, the 2007 apprentices undertook some major projects that will leave a lasting legacy at the Ithaca Children's Garden. YHAP was instrumental in getting the new wetland swale area planted. They also built the great split rail fence enveloping the newly designed Growing Gardens. In addition, they took the lead on creating the "Gardener's Village" a work and maintenance area complete with new shed, fence, storage and compost bins and a small plant nursery.
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615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca, NY 14850-3555. 607 272 2292, fax: 607 272 7088