September 2024 – Parks & Recreation - 27

ity savings. The classroom includes
a rainwater cistern, a living plant
wall, a composting toilet and solar
panels. It functions as a net-zero
living lab space, which means the
building produces all the water and
power necessary to function.
The SEED Classroom was made
possible through generous donations
to the Montgomery Parks
Foundation, the nonprofit arm that
cultivates financial support for park
projects. " We are so grateful to the
many donors who supported this
project - including The Friends of
Black Hill and The Friends of Ten
Mile Creek, " says Katie Rictor, executive
director of the Montgomery
Parks Foundation. " The Montgomery
Parks Foundation exists to support
special projects like the SEED
Classroom, and we are thrilled to
see this unique place come to life. "
Green Mountain Energy Sun
Club provided significant financial
support. " Our Sun Club grants are
designed to promote sustainability
and support important causes in the
community, " says Johnny Richardson,
program manager of Green
Mountain Energy Sun Club. " The
addition of the 6.5kWh solar array
and rainwater capture system allows
the SEED Classroom to meet
net-zero goals and serve as a handson
teaching tool for children. "
Come Together!
As the funding for the classroom
came together, park and recreation
staff from a variety of disciplines
realized they would need to work
collaboratively. The team included
engineers, architects and landscape
architects, naturalists, electricians,
and heavy equipment operators.
" Building the SEED Classroom
turned out to be a great group projCreating
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ect for staff across the department
and gave them the opportunity to
get to know and understand what
their peers do, " says Miti Figueredo,
director of Montgomery Parks.
" It is a privilege to manage a parks
department with so many talented
people working together to help educate
the next generation of environmental
stewards. "
The SEED Classroom will be
used for students of all ages. " The
classroom is conveniently located
close to a variety of park amenities,
like creeks and trails, so we
can bring what we learn from the
hands-on experiences back into the
classroom, " says McCarthy.
Students will also learn how to
analyze graphs and charts from the
output of the solar array to calculate
usage rates and compare them
at different times of the year to see
the impact of seasonal changes.
Kara Constantine's son goes to
the nature preschool program at the
Black Hill Discovery Center. " I love
the new SEED Classroom, " Constantine
says. " I hope it inspires visitors
to think about our own part in
creating a sustainable future, starting
with what we can do at home.... I
think the many kids who enjoy the
new space will recognize the connection
between how we live indoors
and its impact on the environment.
That awareness sets the foundation
for them to become good stewards
and champions of our Earth. "
Melissa Chotiner is Media Relations Manager
at Montgomery Parks (melissa.chotiner@
montgomeryparks.org).
PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G | SEP T EMBER 2 0 2 4 | Parks & Recreation
27
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September 2024 – Parks & Recreation

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