Executive
Summary
The addition of an Interactive
Children’s Garden in Deep Cut Gardens (Middletown, NJ) provides endless
opportunities for education, community involvement, and volunteering. The
Garden adds an additional dimension to Deep Cut Gardens, making it not only a
place of beauty, but also a place in which to gain knowledge, volunteer, and
become more active in the community through educational and social events
sponsored in the garden.
Outdoor signage at the Interactive Children’s
Garden serves as the primary source of information. The signage provides
information regarding plant health (methods to ensure continued growth), plant life
(type), and planting (effective methods used for specific plants). The client,
the Monmouth County Parks System, requested the utilization of eco-friendly,
weather-tolerant, and cost effective materials for all signage. Plausible
materials for signage include: MDO plywood, Plexiglas, Aluminate, and
DuraReader. MDO plywood, a plywood panel coated with a fiber overlay, appears “earthy,”
and provides a sturdy material for signage. The Plexiglas, a durable, weather
resistant, eco-friendly plastic, creates a sleek look. Aluminate, an aluminum composite panel,
resists rot, corrosion, swelling, and delaminating. DuraReader, comprised of
100% recycled material, carries a 10 year warranty. MDO plywood, the least
expensive material, costs $64.99 per 4’ x 8’ board, while DuraReader, the most
expensive material, costs between $535.94 and $1,122.59.
Outdoor signage utilizes two different
sign patterns: (1) low profile signs and (2) upright signs. The low profile
sign stands closer to the ground and bends at a 45 degree angle. The larger upright
sign stands straight up. All outdoor
signage at the garden, regardless of structure, must meet ADA regulations. ADA regulations require: (1) the base of the
sign stand at least 27” above the ground; (2) font of at least 5/8” in height;
and (3) that all text contrasts the background of the signage. Large,
contrasting text makes the signage easier to read and enhances its aesthetic
appeal (more eye-catching). Signage, written at an eighth grade reading level,
ensures information can be read by visitors of all ages.
This innovative concept of an interactive
garden also works to improve the local community, serving as a place for children,
teenagers, and adults to visit and learn about planting crops indigenous to the
area. Information displayed on outdoor signage provides visitors of all ages
with information concerning photosynthesis, the water cycle, weeding, a plant’s
life cycle, seed dispersal, harmful/helpful pets, and other facts imperative to
gardening. All data displayed on the
signage helps visitors better understand the “how to” and whys of gardening.
Visitors can not only educate themselves about gardening, but can also have a
“hands-on” opportunity to volunteer at the Garden. By volunteering, visitors can
utilize the knowledge they gathered from the signage and apply it while
gardening seasonal fruits/vegetables. Deep Cut Garden’s garage provides safekeeping
of all gardening supplies.
The Interactive Children’s Garden acts as
a nonprofit garden that enables families to learn, bond and positively
influence the local community. Volunteers at the garden donate their efforts to
a greater cause; fighting hunger. Food shelters throughout Monmouth County reap
the benefits of having all food harvested from the Interactive Children’s
Garden distributed to them. The Garden also provides opportunities for
inner-city children to learn about planting and provides them with the unique
opportunity to garden themselves. The Interactive Children’s Garden constitutes
an exceedingly worthwhile endeavor for the entire community.
