Donations to help restore Lankenau High School gardens

Gardens at Lankenau High School destroyed by vandals last month are on their way to be being restored, thanks in large part to donations from the community.

The Upper Roxborough school is planning a work day on March 12 to kick off the process of getting the acre-sized grounds back in shape.

"This is the first step of what we see as a community effort in returning our school grounds to the country campus we love," the school said in announcing the donations and event. "We are humbled and proud that so many have come together to help us in our time of need."

In mid-February, someone drove over the vegetable, fruit, flower and rain gardens at the school at 201 Spring Lane, ruining the soil, plants and flowers.

Four contractors - Kingkiner Tree Service, MG Labetti Associations, C&R Outdoors Services and Melady Landscaping Inc. - are providing vehicles, manpower and expertise without charge, the school said. Those services would normally cost about $25,000 to $30,000.

Additionally, Roxborough Hospital has donated soil, the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education has offered work tools and others have aided in outreach efforts and coordinating volunteers, according to the school.