Growing Minds, Bodies and Good Food

On a 1.5-acre site beside a Bergen Beach elementary school, the Carol Pino Learning Garden transforms a formerly contaminated urban wasteland into an immersive landscape where education, ecology, and equity intersect. Edible gardens, orchards, and outdoor classrooms form a living ecosystem that nurtures both people and the planet, addressing food insecurity and climate vulnerability. Stormwater management systems and native plantings restore ecological balance, while students cultivate fresh produce alongside environmental literacy. Rooted in collaboration and community vision, the garden converts urban neglect into resilience—empowering the next generation to grow knowledge, wellness, and hope from the ground up.

A Living Classroom for the Whole Child

The Learning Garden transforms traditional NYC DOE classroom norms by trading smart boards for gardens and walls for open sky. Students engage directly with plants, pollinators, and ecological systems, gaining hands-on experience in science, nutrition, and sustainability. Outdoor classrooms, seasonal planting, and interactive workshops allow learners of all ages to explore, experiment, and observe in real time, connecting curriculum to lived experience. By bringing education into the garden, the project fosters curiosity, environmental literacy, and a deeper connection between students, their community, and the natural world.

Food Justice Through Design

Located in a neighborhood with limited access to fresh, healthy food, the Learning Garden addresses health and environmental inequities through productive landscapes and inclusive programming. Orchards, edible gardens, and a greenhouse provide consistent access to fresh produce, while seasonal markets and community events connect learning to nutrition and local wellness. Shaped through a design-forward engagement process with PS 312, IS 78, Community Board 18, and local leadership, the garden reflects community priorities and fosters a strong sense of ownership. Experiences such as apple picking, pumpkin patches, and shared harvests build neighborhood cohesion and ensure the garden serves residents of all ages and backgrounds.

Climate-Responsive Urban Agriculture

In a low-lying neighborhood vulnerable to flooding and extreme heat, the Learning Garden integrates ecological restoration with climate-responsive design. Permeable paving, extensive planting, and underground stormwater storage reduce runoff during cloudburst events, while gardens, orchards, and the greenhouse are elevated above flood levels to ensure resilient food production. Tree canopies and shaded outdoor classrooms mitigate urban heat, creating safe environments for year-round learning. Every system doubles as a teaching tool, demonstrating how urban landscapes can function simultaneously as ecological infrastructure and experiential classrooms that benefit people, community, and planet.

Credits: NYCSCA, Grain Collective, PMY Constructions
Photo Credit: Ignacio Ayestaran

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