Grover Cleveland Alums Repair Beloved School Butterfly Garden

The Butterfly Garden at Grover Cleveland Middle School (GCMS) in Caldwell, got more than a little help from a friend this August when alumna Kevin Macken answered a plea for help from seventh grade science teacher and environmental club advisor Jane Kinkle.

The garden, a certified National Wildlife Federation Schoolyard Habitat once used for outdoor classes and special drama performances, served as the environmental club’s learning center. However, the garden suffered damage and had became overgrown and filled with weeds and other unwanted plants.

“I invited former GCMS students who are now local landscapers to help reorganize our butterfly garden,” Kinkle said. “Kevin Macken responded and several employees came to the school to check out the garden situation.”

Pictured in the corresponding photo standing with Grover Cleveland Middle School seventh grade teacher and environmental club advisor Jane Kinkle at the Caldwell school are Eliseo Cismeros, Juan Arocho and owner Kevin Macken. The team of landscapers and GCMS alums volunteered their time for more than two days to clean up the overgrown garden that was damaged by Hurricane Sandy and harsh winters.

The landscapers found the garden in disarray, and a bigger project than expected, but Macken gave the instruction, “do whatever needs to be done.” Spending nearly two days removing debris, cutting down trees, weeding and more, the landscapers readied the garden for future club members.

“I wanted to do this because I believe giving back to the community is the right thing to do. I remember working in that garden years ago when I was a student, and seeing how it has transformed over the years.”

The garden is now ready for current and future environmentalists to leave their mark, planting new perennials and butterfly-friendly plants. Donations of perennials or other butterfly-friendly plants are welcome.

“I was hoping that the landscapers would provide advice and volunteer to help us reduce the overgrowth,” added Kinkle. “But, K Macken Landscaping went above and beyond what we hoped that they would or could do. Now, we can bring the garden back to its former glory.”

For more information on K Macken Landscaping LLC, click here. For information on GCMS, click here. To donate perennials or other appropriate garden plants, please email info@cwcboe.org.

Information and photo courtesy of Christine Corliss, Publicity Coordinator, Caldwell-West Caldwell School District