By Jake Fogal
BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington-Normal is coming together around Washington Elementary School after having its garden vandalized last week.
An 11 year old cherry tree was uprooted from the garden and stolen, plus many of the plant beds were crushed by large rocks stationed throughout the garden.
Two local businesses swiftly offered assistance to the garden, Growing Grounds in Bloomington and Stolfa Landscaping in Normal. Heather Wilcox of Growing Grounds was frustrated with the news, and spoke to her boss quickly to assist Washington.
“[We want to] donate a tree back to Washington School. We will keep it at the store. Keep it watered, keep it alive, keep people from snapping it off and stealing it. Then when it’s time to plant, we will do that for them,” Wilcox said.
Growing Grounds plans to plant a cherry tree in the fall, while Stolfa Landscaping proposed to donate plants to help replenish the elementary school’s garden.
“We’d be more than happy to, if they(Washington) get a list to us, give them whatever they need. Perennials, Hosta’s, 25-30 plants and get them going and looking good again,” Tony Stolfa said.
Head of the garden, Jayme Corcoran, a special education teacher at Washington Elementary, says she is overjoyed by the communities support.
‘It’s hard not to look at that and be emotional about the amount of work that you’ve put in and see it destroyed. It’s something I have not experienced before,” Cocroran said.
“All I could think of was the amounts of time it was going to take to put it together. It’s not a lot of time when an entire community can come together and volunteer their time, when students and come out. Many hands make light work and it’s been a real testament to the kindness and community that we have here at Washington and in Bloomington-Normal.”
It is still unknown who damaged the garden, but it is believed the incident took place between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday evening last week.
According to Washington Elementary’s Facebook page, the garden has been repositioned and replanted.
Jake Fogal can be reached at [email protected].
