Local woman committed to revitalizing North Ward School gardens

By Casandra Turnbull

A local woman wants to use her unique skillset to nurture growth at an area school – that is landscape growth!

Samantha Armstrong has big plans to add some vibrancy to the grounds at North Ward School next spring. She launched the North Ward Garden Project recently, a project she refers to as her way of supporting the community.

Armstrong, who lives in the area, regularly walks past the school with her dog and she couldn’t help but notice the gardens could use a little TLC. It so happens Armstrong has a passion for horticulture, a creative outlet that is fuelled by her love of biological sciences. She’s a Registered Nurse specializing in Cardiovascular Clinical Research but in her spare time she likes to get her hands dirty in the garden. So much so, she’s completed several online courses related to horticulture and gardening over the years This idea to liven up the schoolyard gardens is one she simply couldn’t let go. “The grounds at North Ward School are welcoming and impressive. With large, mature trees that canopy the schoolyard, and ample space for children to enjoy recess or outdoor activities. I can see that the gardens have potential and that with a little effort, it could really add to the vibrancy of this school community,” she shared with the Paris Independent.

SCOREBOARD FEBRUARY 16 – FEBRUARY 23

Armstrong is donating her time to creating a vision for the gardens, picking out the appropriate shrubs and plants and then transforming the worn looking beds into appealing spaces that will give the school a fresh look.

But to make her vision a reality, she needs help raising the money to purchase the materials. A couple weeks ago she officially launched a GoFundMe page to raise the $3,000 required to bring her plans to fruition. She recognizes that resources at schools are spread thin and typically school gardens are not on the top of a school’s priority list. “I fully believe that ‘it takes a village’ and I want to step up to the plate to help revitalize the school gardens to help the building reflect the lively North Ward School community,” said Armstrong, who’s won several awards for her gardening techniques “I take pride in my ability to create beautiful, sustainable spaces that everyone can enjoy.”

Armstrong will use the $3,000 to purchase the required material –evergreen shrubs, perennials, landscape fabric, mulch, etc. She plans to start off by simply pruning existing shrubs to remove overgrowth to make way for new plants

She believes dwarf evergreen shrubs will add year-round visual interest, while perennials will add a pop of colour in the spring and fall. She said it’s imperative to pick plants that do not creep or spread, are non-invasive and require no pruning or aggressive cutting. The idea is to revitalize the beds so that they mature gracefully, meaning that they will require little to no maintenance over the years. Once the GoFundMe campaign creates a little momentum, and the kids are settled into a new school year, Armstrong plans to approach the school’s principal to discuss her idea and seek the appropriate permissions. She’s been very careful to adhere to school board guidelines surrounding volunteers, as well as Ontario government guidelines for fundraising within school communities. This fundraiser adheres to guiding principles in order to compliment, and not replace, public school funding, she said.

The GoFundMe page is live, for anyone interested in donating. Armstrong respects that not everyone is comfortable with online donations, a platform she chose for ease of transparency, so she is also welcoming in-kind donations such as plants, mulch or yard waste bag donations. Anyone interested in knowing more about the community project or how to help can also reach Armstrong by email –

SchoolGardenProject2024@hotma il com

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She said she really looks forward to liaising with other members of the community and thanks everyone in advance for their interest, support and donations.

“Perhaps we can’t change the world, but we can work within our means, within our community to strive for positive impact.” Click