Growing Access for All: Support Woodford Academy’s Garden Fence Fundraiser
At the Kennedy Heights Community Council, we believe every child deserves safe, meaningful opportunities to learn, explore, and connect with nature and that includes access to outdoor spaces like community and school gardens.
Several years ago, the Civic Garden Center awarded Kennedy Heights a grant to create community garden plots for neighborhood residents. Thanks to the generosity and partnership of Woodford Academy, those community garden plots found a home on the school’s campus. The Kennedy Heights Community Council is incredibly grateful to Woodford Academy for opening their space to support both neighborhood residents and students alike.
Today, the Gardens at Woodford Academy serve as more than just neighborhood garden plots. They are a place where residents grow fresh produce, where students can connect with nature through hands-on experiences, and where opportunities exist to create inclusive outdoor learning environments for children of all abilities.
To help expand those opportunities, Woodford Academy has launched a Garden Fence Fundraiser Campaign this year.
The fence will play a critical role in making the gardens accessible for students in the school’s Autism and Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH) programs by creating a safer environment for participation in gardening activities and outdoor learning. In addition, the fence will help protect community members’ crops from ongoing deer damage, preserving the hard work and investment residents put into their garden plots each season.
This initiative reflects the very best of community collaboration — neighbors, educators, families, and local organizations working together to create a space that is safe, inclusive, and welcoming for everyone.
The Kennedy Heights Community Council is proud to support this effort and has already contributed $500 toward the campaign, helping bring the fundraising total to more than $4,000 so far.
But there is still work to do.
This project will help:
Increase access to hands-on outdoor learning opportunities
Support students with diverse learning and sensory needs
Protect resident garden plots and harvests
Strengthen connections between the school and the surrounding community
Create a more inclusive and accessible shared green space
We invite Kennedy Heights residents, community supporters, and anyone passionate about accessibility and education to help bring this project across the finish line.
How to Help: Donations can be made online (click here to donate) and every contribution makes a difference. If you choose to give, please be sure to include“Woodford Fence” in your donation note so your gift is directed to this campaign.
Together, we can continue growing a community space where students and residents alike have the opportunity to learn, connect, and thrive.
