MCKINLEY PARK — ComEd's new training facility just got more scenic with the unveiling of its new community garden designed and maintained by local high school students.
The students and volunteers with ComEd and Growing Power, a nonprofit helping create gardens in communities, unveiled the new community garden with a ceremony Saturday outside of the energy company's Chicago Training Center, 3536 S. Iron St. The garden, which is along 35th Street, was designed and planted with help from the local high school students through an internship program ComEd facilitates with Growing Power, the company said in a press release.
"The students have dedicated hundreds of hours to researching, designing and planting a community garden that not only looks beautiful, but some of the harvest will be put to good use," Paula Conrad, senior manager of corporate relations for ComEd, said in a press release. "We are proud to showcase their efforts outside of Chicago Training Center and hope residents and visitors to the Bridgeport neighborhood enjoy our new garden."
Sixteen students from Bridgeport, Back of the Yards, Englewood, Pilsen and elsewhere worked on the garden, and will continue to do so until the fall. ComEd's partnership has allowed Growing Power to have a presence in the neighborhood since 2012.
The non-profit has been working to bring green space to needy communities as well as teach residents about healthy eating. It previously operated a farm on Iron Street in Bridgeport.
"The dedicated work of our students has transformed the fence line along ComEd's Chicago Training Center into a beautiful and productive space that can be enjoyed by the community for years to come."
