Marywood University Students Assist Garden of Cedar Community Project Marywood University is working in collaboration with the Garden of Cedar, a local nonprofit organization in Scranton’s South Side neighborhood, on a community garden project that features sculpture, native plants, vertical planters, a hydroponic system, and other features to be added later. The specific academic areas involved with the project include the Environmental Science Program, Art Department, School of Architecture (SOA), and School of Business and Global Innovation (SBGI). The living T-rail sculpture’s design ties to the area’s industrial roots, specifically highlighting the pivotal role of the Iron Furnaces in shaping the regional landscape. At the base of the sculpture, an arrangement of native vegetation is planned. This natural component is not only aesthetic but is also symbolic, designed to grow and intertwine around a representational map of Scranton. The sculpture was funded by Frank and Marigrace Dubas, Scranton, Michael and Candice Curran, New Canaan, CT, and Howard and Amy Kaplan, Saddle River, NJ. Native plants were donated to the Garden for community members to plant in the garden or take back to plant in their yards, including Black-eyed Susans, Butterfly Weed, and Yellow Coneflower. Vertical planters, inspired by the design of totem poles, provide accessibility for ADA planting as the planters are raised above the height of the ground-level planters already in the garden. A hydroponic system developed by the students uses sustainable methods of maintaining plant life on an existing vertical wall, providing not only a visual experience, but an interactive one, as users are given the opportunity to grow specific herbs and succulents on the site. Features that will be installed in the Garden at a later date include bee hotels and a canopy. Bee hotels are the insect equivalent of a birdhouse, providing nesting spaces for solitary bees. Solitary bees, such as mason bees and leafcutter bees, are non-aggressive because they are solitary nesters and do not have large colonies to defend. Most bees native to Pennsylvania are in fact solitary bees, acting as important pollinators that are vital to the survival of our ecosystems. The canopy will be a removable shade structure to be used by outreach programs that provide lunches and other events to children during the hot summer months. The Garden of Cedar was created and developed by Frank Dubas, President of the Garden. Frank is also responsible for the Garden’s unique design and construction. Marywood students, faculty, and staff have been collaborating with Frank on the project for several years. Branding, including the logo for the Garden, was created and developed by Marywood students. Tom McLean & Associates provided landscape design. Jerry Chilewski Enterprises constructed the Garden. Principal faculty from Marywood University involved with the project include: Michelle Pannone, SBGI Executive Director & Associate Professor; Sara Melick, Assistant Professor of Practice in Environmental Science; Sue Jenkins, Associate Professor of Art and Design, and Christine Medley, Associate Professor of Graphic Design. Students and recent graduates involved with the project include: Environmental Science: Juan Cardenas, Emily Haggerty, Carly Walters, and Bailey White. Graphic Design: Kristina Zenga, Marlena Bompane, Marykate Boyle, Danae Drews, Jad Tindall, Alexander Shields, Caitlinn Belcher, Emily Duris, Marla Gambucci, Reece Wolbert, Allison MacDermott, Shanon Sohl, Gabby Ziegler, and Daniele Cragle. Architecture: Nicholas Baney, Kyle Brosenne, Giavanna Burdick, Brianna Conniff, Lois Downing, Iain Kerrigan, Daniel Leonard, Tristan Luczak, Thomas Milewski, Megan Pavlowski, Christopher Salisbury, Joseph Sanfilippo, Autumn Savitski, Angelika Valdes, and Lenae Burkhard. Marketing: Kathleen Lynott. Marywood students finalize the installation of the Garden’s hydroponic system. Pictured left to right: Emily Haggerty, Juan Cardenas, Bailey White, and Giavanna Burdick.
Garden of Cedar Celebrates 2024 Success The Garden of Cedar’s second year of operations has come to a close. The highlight of 2024 was the commencement of full-scale operations at the Garden of Cedar’s annex located at 921 Cedar Ave. which doubled the capacity of the Garden. Truckloads of topsoil were added during the Spring. Soon thereafter a distribution network reaching out to approximately 100 families was established. During summer, eggplant, tomatoes, and corn were popular. The Indigo Spoon Foundation was back on site with their popular summer lunch program. The employees of Citizens Savings dedicated their harvest to the neighborhood community. During the season we experienced growing pains as air bound and ground intruders took a liking to Garden plantings. See damaged corn crop picture. A soil test indicated several vital soil nutrients are needed for a productive 2025 planting season. Steps are being taken to discourage pests humanely. Natural compost and cow manure will be added to the soil to provide nutrients. Marywood University students designed and built several functional sculptures which will be installed at the Garden of Cedar. The Garden’s annex will get a storage shed. Quality seeds and seedlings will be purchased and the ongoing bills must be paid. Best wishes for a joyous holiday season & a Happy New Year!
