With the removal of the fences at Proksa Park, we had the opportunity to redesign the borders of the garden. 

Our first goal was to plant a natural barrier with native plants and berries, for families and wildlife to enjoy for years to come.  We are also in the process of extending our composting capabilities for our volunteers as well.  The Park District donated a compost extention unit to add to our set-up.

The Berwyn Park District donated 4 black bins we filled with soil to create an imagination station & fairy gardens. 

We took donations from the community of small toys and trinkets and mixed with our collected nature items to create a play area for youth.  

Sabine, from the Berwyn Public Art Inititative created us a Trinket Exchange where the public can come both drop off trinkets, or exchange a trinket to take something new home.

Our Rock Gallery Exchange was also added by garden volunteers and we had a workshop where community members could come paint rocks to add to the gallery and imagination station.  

The gallery is open to rock donations and exchanges as well, just look for the blue shed!

Our 4-h Club, Lead by Shawn and his mom Amy, received a 4-H grant of $1000 to build a Little Free Seed Library for the Berwyn Public Library.  They also used the grant to purchase seeds, soil and small pots to use for our community outreach events and stock the seed library. 

We also grew and collected seedling donations from the community to hand out at the Ebenezer Food Pantry ,  we collected Halloween candy & non-perishable food items to make meal kits which were all stocked in the local community driven community fridges. 

In  collaboration with the Berwyn Public Art Initiative, the Berwyn Library, the Berwyn Park District and the South Cook Master Gardeners, we hosted a family friendly garden themed day full of stortytime, art making and seed starting at Proksa Park.  A mural was started by Josh (@snagzart) and will be on display in 2026. Our garden volunteers also created a child led community art project that will be installed in 2026 as well. 

We started a community book club.  We held a varitey of workshops throughout the year; from seed starting at Ebenezer Community Care Center, to a Seed Swap at the Berwyn Park District. We also spoke about planting native plants at  the Berwyn Lions Club workshop hosted at the Berwyn Public Library. 

Volunteers also met with middle school students at Lincoln Middle School as part of Alderman Rob Pabon's community volunteer fair, sharing info with the youth about getting involved with service projects. 

We finished off our season with our annual hosting a booth at the Berwyn Park District Spooktacular Event.