This past spring, a treasured part of the original historic Maple Ridge neighborhood benefited from a spring gardening day. Council Oak Elementary (COE) School was in need of new landscaping - garden beds had space where matured shrubs had died in recent years and the loss of a few trees along the street left a need for shade for students during school drop off and pick up. 

The COE Foundation called on friends at Tom's Outdoor Living, already known for their neighborhood support and beautification projects, to collaborate. The Foundation rallied a group of volunteers - parents, students, current and retired teachers all showed up - to work hand-in-hand with the Tom's crew. No job was too big for even the youngest helpers, as Tom's experts guided volunteers and took the time to teach the students about the process. The result you'll see on your next stroll down Cincinnati Avenue includes a new redbud and maple along the sidewalk, as well as a landscaping plan that fills in the southern corner of the school wall.

Two key components of the COE Foundation's mission are working to enrich the educational experience of the 500+ COE students, as well as preserving the historical school as an educational treasure. The Foundation is thankful to Tom's for recognizing the value of our neighborhood school and is excited to continue fundraising for the next project together, addressing the landscaping of the 21st Street school entrance. 

With so many of our Maple Ridge neighbors having a personal connection to this school, we welcome support for the next landscaping effort at www.counciloakfoundation.org. And we look forward to joining together again this fall as neighbors and friends to get our hands dirty!