POD Wake County
Beginning and Beyond Child Development Center
Beginning and Beyond Child Development Center, in downtown Raleigh, NC, has progressed towards their goal to create an active and productive outdoor learning environment as a participating POD-Wake demonstration center.
A fenced in learning garden was completed featuring 362 square feet of raised vegetable garden, a compost area, storage shed, a water source, and 211 square feet of fruiting shrubs. A total of 9 fruit trees are planted throughout the OLE.
Children enjoy planting, tending, and harvesting fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. The outdoor learning environment was enhanced with the creation of a stage for dramatic play and performances and a playhouse. Flowering trees along with shrubs and perennials planted in colorful tire planters help to naturalize and bring beauty to the space.
Beginning and Beyond received the City of Raleigh Urban Agriculture Award in 2015 and have invested $17,500 in OLE improvements during the course of the POD Wake project.
Address: 322 East Cabarrus St., Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone: (919) 856-2273
NC Star Rating: 4
Capacity: 120
Working with people in the community, the “seed” of POD Wake has grown.
Schematic Master Plan (2013)
Before Renovation (2013)
After Renovation (2018)
Fruit and vegetable garden entrance
Looping pathway
Pergola with storage shelving
Playhouse for dramatic play
Acoustic play music wall
Colorful tire planters line a raised deck
Earth play construction zone
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