During the administration of NYC Public School Chancellor,

Rudi Crew, a Garden Initiative program was established to

create gardens for eight of the most troubled inner city schools.

The gardens were integrated into each of the schools’ curricula-

constructed, planted, and maintained with the help of

trained teachers and students. City Parks Foundation Director,

Mary Leou, obtained grants and coordinated educational programs

for the teaching staff and students. Each project included an area for

students to plant edibles and a perennial habitat to attract butterflies and birds.

Billie Cohen Ltd designed and installed the gardens using creative

solutions within an extremely limited budget. The gardens were a

huge success and continue to be used as a part of the curriculum.