I agree that children should learn to respect all lives and beings in the garden. And the responsibility to teach them falls on the parents, not the garden management.
Experience has taught us at our garden, and obviously at Jama's garden, that not all parents take that responsibility to heart, and allow their children to be destructive. In response to that behavior, we've had to become more firm with our rules regarding children in the garden. Best regards, Lori Ferris Garden Manager Unity Park Community Garden Round Rock, TX www.UnityParkCG.org -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: [Community_garden] Garden Rules for Children From: Diana Liu <diana1...@sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, July 26, 2010 3:02 pm To: l...@teamnhp.org, j...@frontier.net Perhaps I am naiive. Rules are great. They are definitely important and crucial. However, I am also wonderfing, if it is equally important to help children to learn to respect all lives and beings from the garden. Children are children, and they are going to act as such. It would make the garden experience so much valuable for the children and not just a place that they need to obey rules. From: "l...@teamnhp.org" <l...@teamnhp.org> To: j...@frontier.net Cc: community_garden@list.communitygarden.org Sent: Mon, July 26, 2010 12:53:38 PM Subject: Re: [Community_garden] Garden Rules for Children This is a great question, and very timely for our garden, too. Our board has been working on adding a section about children to our Site Rules, due to inattentive (irresponsible??) parents. Here is our work-in-progress. I'd love to see what others have in their rules, too. Children in the Garden: We encourage family members of all ages to participate and enjoy Unity Park CG. However, out of the need for safety and respect for all, we ask that you follow these important rules: 1. Respect wildlife of all varieties. Remember that the garden and the surrounding areas are a home for many different species and that we are guests in their home. We will not tolerate chasing, teasing, feeding, yelling at, harming, etc. any creature. 2. Parents are responsible for the constant supervision of their child/children at all times. 3. Children are allowed in designated areas only. Children may play in the field directly behind the garden (not behind the Baha’i Center), but should never be in the driveway, under the trees along the driveway, in the parking areas, or in the field in front of the garden next to Gattis School road. 4. Children’s feet need to remain on the ground while in the garden and surrounding areas. There is to be no climbing on the fence, water tank, seating, or other structures. 5. Children under the age of 12 are not allowed in the tool shed. 6. Full size tools are for adult use only. When the shed is in place, there will be children’s hand tools available or you can bring children’s tools from home. 7. The driveway rocks must remain on the ground and in the driveway. Throwing rocks is a very serious safety hazard for everyone in the garden-not only can they injure people that they hit, but they can also be hazards for the mowing staff. Rocks that are found while working in the garden may be placed (gently) in the driveway by an adult. 8. Children should not be in another gardener’s area without the permission/presence of that gardener. Remember, we are not a playground so please bring appropriate entertainment and supervision for those children who need it. Parents will be held responsible for their children’s behaviors in the garden and surrounding areas. Violations of these rules could lead to penalties and/or expulsion from the garden. Also, here is a link to our Indemnity Forms (and other garden forms): http://rrcommunitygardens.ning.com/forum/topics/unity-park-cg-application Best regards, Lori Ferris Garden Manager Unity Park Community Garden Round Rock, TX www.UnityParkCG.org -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [Community_garden] Garden Rules for Children From: j...@frontier.net Date: Mon, July 26, 2010 2:45 pm To: community_garden@list.communitygarden.org Forgive me for this interruptive post! I haven't kept up with the conversation and this may be something discussed ad nauseum just last week. Would anyone be willing to share their list of "Rules for Children in the Garden"? We have a few already, but clearly not enough. This weekend we suffered substantial damage by children whose parents weren't watching. While we are at it, would anyone be kind enough to share a copy of their liability form, for both adults and children in the garden? Many thanks for any assistance. Jama Crawford Shared Harvest Durango Colorado _______________________________________________ The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org To post an e-mail to the list: community_garden@list.communitygarden.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: http://list.communitygarden.org/mailman/listinfo/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org _______________________________________________ The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org To post an e-mail to the list: community_garden@list.communitygarden.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: http://list.communitygarden.org/mailman/listinfo/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org _______________________________________________ The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org To post an e-mail to the list: community_garden@list.communitygarden.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: http://list.communitygarden.org/mailman/listinfo/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org
