Willingdon Embarks on Montreal 375 Project

The multi-disciplinary project, which will be built on the Draper side of the school, combines elements of urban planning, history, science and art that will culminate in a unique new addition to the community. With the help of six teachers as well as urban planning student Myriam Fakhri, Grade 6 students have mapped out, surveyed, modeled, designed the site, as well as selected the bench and bike rack designs. In the coming weeks, students will also research and plant the apple trees and along with well-known artist Guilaume Lavoie, will paint the mural. Throughout the process, students met with residents to solicit ideas for the urban orchard. One such idea was to include benches; this came as a result from a meeting with the N.D.G. Senior Citizens Council. To encourage the re-birth of N.D.G.’s agriculture, also present at the urban orchard will be a beehive, provided by Alvéole. The hive will be installed on the roof of Willingdon and the bees are expected to pollinate the apple trees as well as the school’s existing vegetable garden.