Gertie Belle Rogers students give Gainer Park makeover

May 17—MITCHELL — This spring, Mitchell's oldest park began receiving a much-needed makeover, thanks to the efforts of a local elementary classroom.

Like other children their age, the students in the multiage classroom at Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary have been enjoying ample time outdoors now that the weather is turning warmer.

Unlike their peers though, the 41 students in the second through fourth grade combined classroom had a mission beyond simply playing outdoors. They focused on Gainer Park and developed ideas for improving the area.

Each year, the students in the multi-age classroom undertake a project aimed at benefiting the Mitchell community in some capacity.

"We always do a project but nothing this big before," said Molly Becker, co-teacher of the multi-age classroom.

Becker has been the sole teacher of the multi-age classroom at the school. In previous years, this classroom consisted of third- and fourth-graders. This year however Becker collaborated with second-grade teacher Maggie Stolp, expanding the multi-age classroom to include students from second grade.

Becker and Stolp agree that having students from three grades together has been a highly successful arrangement.

"There is definitely a social gap between the grade levels," Stolp said. "But the fourth-graders are great at motivation and guidance with ideas and thought processes for the younger students."

The students' ability to work well together was apparent as they navigated the end of year service project. Before they could start, the class had to reach a consensus on which project to concentrate their efforts on. A voting process determined Gainer Park as the project focus.

Once the project was chosen, the classroom prepared a presentation to deliver to various city officials, detailing their ideas for the park.

Unbeknownst to the students when they selected Gainer Park, the city had already planned a significant transformation for the park next year.

"When they invited us to their classroom to share what they envisioned for some improvements (and cleanup) at Gainer Park, they had no idea how well this went hand in hand with our future plans," said City Councilman Jeff Smith.

For several years, an integral component of the Parks and Recreation Department's master plan has been the annual renovation of one city park until all parks are updated. In March, Patton Young Park underwent renovation.

According to Nelson, Gainer Parker is 25 years old and will be the next park to be updated. Nelson recently completed a grant application, seeking matching funds for the replacement of the old equipment to usher in a fresh appearance.

"Should we receive the grant funding, part of the credit should be due to them (GBR kids) because of their determination and excitement to make improvements at the park," Nelson said.

Becker said the project-based learning helped the students develop some important skills, such as collaboration and teamwork, creativity, leadership development, problem-solving, and communication.

The class formed committees including contact, design, gardening, add-ons, cleanup, fundraising, and marketing. The fundraising committee organized three fundraisers in which the class participated.

According to Becker, the class has raised $350 so far, though this isn't the final tally as some funds are yet to be finalized.

So far the young project managers were able to get flowers planted by the park sign, scrub clean the park equipment, pick up sticks, and paint the park bench all before the school year ended. Each trip to the park involved a one-mile walk to and from the school.

Although the school year has concluded, the class will resume their project in the fall. Becker and Stolp intend to involve the students in assisting Nelson with the planned park renovations his department has in any capacity possible, whether by providing ideas for equipment installation or continuing to brainstorm additional park enhancements.

"We cannot wait to continue to work with the city on this park project next year," Becker said.

Smith thought the project was a great avenue for youth engagement and thought it helped inspire a sense of ownership of the local park.

"This was a tremendous project," Smith said. "What a fantastic way for these kids to take ownership — to realize parks don't just happen. There is maintenance to it. Someone mows the grass, picks up the leaves, all to make it look nice."