It is springtime in Chicagoland, and when the weather begins to get warmer, our members look forward to the summer season in our Giving Garden. The windows in the Early Learning Area of the Indian Trails Public Library look out to this space, and families love viewing the progress of the plants growing throughout the summer months. Youth staff coordinate several programs over the summer for children up through fifth grade to work in the garden and learn about the plants.
The Indian Trails Library Giving Garden began in 2009 and is active thanks to a dedicated team of staff and volunteers from the Wheeling Garden Club. Our facilities staff begin the season by adding compost and turning the garden beds. Cool weather crops are planted in the spring from starter seeds of a local volunteer master gardener. Several retired volunteers and master gardeners also help maintain the garden during the summer season and assist during programs. The programs are truly intergenerational, and community focused with young children, caregivers, and adults of all ages participating in planting, weeding, pruning, and picking the fruits and vegetables.
Youth Services Librarian, Chey Westphal and Youth Services Assistant Michelle Soderlind have partnered on the program for several years and have found the connection the children make with the garden to their community is inspirational. “It’s great to see children and caregivers enjoy unplugging and enjoying the outdoors for a while. They get to have fun while learning STEAM concepts and positively impacting our community. We get to see a tangible ripple effect which is very cool,” says Westphal. [JP1] [CW2] [JP3] [JP4]
Just what does that ripple effect mean? It means that when children attend this program, not only are they harvesting food for the gardeners to take to the food pantry, but they are also making a direct impact on their community. When vulnerable community members are given immediate resources for hunger, it makes it possible for these members to attend school, go to work, and better maintain their health and wellness, thus creating a more overall stable community. The hope is that more people may be inspired to look at volunteering or using the library, when they have previously received benefits.
STEAM concepts such as observing the development of plants, using gardening tools, measuring, counting, learning about patterns and color, and even enhancing their fine motor skills all benefit children of all ages. Says Michelle Soderlind, “We have seen that the Giving Garden sparks curiosity. What starts as a simple visit turns into a deeper appreciation for how food grows and the role we all play in our community.” Occasionally, the programs have crafts before the outdoor activity begins, which is especially helpful for rainy days. Often the crafts are accompanied by a planting session or hands-on educational component that can be done indoors.
In 2025, the Giving Garden produced 75 pounds of produce which was delivered to the Wheeling Township Food Pantry in August. The library recently formed a partnership with a second local food pantry and has a Little Free Pantry on our site that was created by a local elementary school student.
If you are inspired to get your members outdoors, try a garden! Gardens can be planted in the ground or in containers if you don’t have a large outdoor space. The National Gardening Clubs website can help you find your local garden club for a potential partnership.
Resources:
Located in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, The Indian Trails Public Library library sits in the 6a gardening zone. You can find your zone using this map that gardeners use to help determine if plants will survive the winter.
Read more from the world renowned, living museum, The Chicago Botanic Garden. This article shares great gardening tips for adults with children.
The Urban Growers Collective and the Community Food Navigator both based in Chicago, show how community gardens impact local neighborhoods and help create more equitable access to fresh food.
Pope, Elizabeth;Marston, Sallie A.;Thompson, Moses;Larson, Scott. “How learning gardens foster well-being and development through the promotion of purposeful play in early childhood and beyond.” inTheory Into Practice, 62, no. 2 (Spring, 2023): 193-204.
By Jennifer A. Peterson, Youth Services Supervisor, (jpeterson@indiantrailslibrary.org); Michelle Soderlind, Youth Services Assistant; and Chey Westphal, Youth Services Librarian. Indian Trails Public Library.