FORT SMITH, Ark. — The Fort Smith community has rallied together to help fix the outdoor classroom and garden at Ballman Elementary School after it was vandalized last month.
“The kids were really emotional about it,” PTA member Michelle Hamlett said. “I'm just happy that they get to witness everybody coming together.”
On July 22, PTA members said the outdoor space was vandalized early in the morning, but are still unsure as to who caused the destruction.
The garden was constructed for the school by Eagle Scout Evan Smith and has been maintained collectively by parents involved in the PTA.
“Initially, we were just shocked that anybody would want to do that to a place that was built for kids to have a positive impact, so everybody was just disheartened,” Hamlett said.
Hamlett, whose two children attend the elementary school said that in the aftermath of the vandalism, the local community has come out to support and rebuild.
According to Hamlett, volunteers have donated new plants, trees, money, tools, supplies, and their time to the school's garden. She said even residents whose kids do not attend the school have volunteered to help.
"It really was extra personal to them too, because they've put stuff into it as well,” Hamlett said about residents who donated to the garden before it was destroyed. “It's a reflection of our community, so that's why I think it was such a big impact to see so many people reach out to help out.”
In addition to rebuilding, volunteers have also used this opportunity to add to what was lost.
Hamlett said volunteers have begun adding painting on the basketball courts, added additional trees that were not there before, and also constructed a Gaga ball pit for the students to enjoy once school starts.
“Everybody's come together to give it a little makeover and to try and make it better than before,” Hamlett said.
School begins again on August 19, and although the garden may have been uprooted, new seeds will be planted.
“We'll definitely get our flowers in the ground,” Hamlett said. “Hopefully we'll be able to start putting in some seeds for some fall harvest vegetables that the kids will get to harvest.”
According to the Ballman PTA Facebook page, the next volunteer work day for the outdoor classroom and garden will be Aug. 11, from 5 - 8 p.m.
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