Columbia Falls Jr. High garden gets gazebo for sun safety

The American Dermatology Association threw some shade at the Wildcat Garden.

Located at Columbia Falls Junior High, the garden, formerly called the Wildcat Peace Garden, is getting a gazebo as part of a grant through the association’s Shade Structure grant program.

The grant awards up to $8,000 to organizations to install permanent shade structures in locations that serve children and teenagers.

This is the second time the school has tried for the competitive grant said junior high counselor and master gardener Shari Johnson. Johnson has spearheaded the garden since its inception in 2013.

“The FoodCorps greatly contributed to the success of the garden and writing the grant[s],” Johnson said.

“I was pretty tickled,” she said after learning the application was chosen. “I wanted a permanent structure, a gathering space, in that outdoor area, so when classes come they can go to the gazebo before starting lessons and exploration.”

To be considered for the grant, the project needed to receive a recommendation from an association member; demonstrate a commitment to sun safety; and consider installing a shade structure that provides protection from ultraviolet radiation, according to guidelines from https://www.aad.org.

Parent, former Columbia Falls School district board member and structural engineer Jim Henjum volunteered his time to design the 14-by-16 foot shelter.

Creating the garden as an outdoor classroom and gathering place has been a community collaboration from the start, involving staff, students, agents from the Montana State University Agriculture Extension and Lewis and Clark County Montana State University Extension and local businesses.

“It’s been such a really neat experience with all the various private and city resources that have helped. It’s been amazing,” she said.

One of the features of the garden is an orchard of apple, pear and plum trees. It was planted as part of an Extension Service trial to collect data on survivability, production, harvest weight and size in cold zones, which students help gather. This year, fruit from the orchard will contribute to the district’s backpack program, which sends food home with eligible students over weekends and extended school breaks.

“We have a bumper crop this year,” she said.

Vegetables from the garden will also go toward the backpack program.

“We hope in the future to be able to grow enough to contribute to the food bank,” Johnson said, later adding, “I feel like now, with the fruit trees, we’re reaching a point we can really give back.”

The next step, is improving the garden wheelchair accessible paths she said.

“There’s always going to be work to do,” she said.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.