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Russell School and Everett Square
Russell Elementary School is part of EarthWorks' Outdoor Classrooms Program. The school was originally planted in 1990 and now has four apples trees, two Northstar Pie cherry trees, three filazels, and raspberry bushes. Additionally, Russell School is across the street from the Edward Everett Square Historic Orchard, which students sometimes use for Outdoor Classroom activities.
Both the Russell School and Everett Square are close to Dorchester’s historic Blake House, the oldest residence in Boston, and very near the 1800’s Clapp Family orchard. EarthWorks staff and students from the Little House Alternative School planted the orchard in 2002. As part of a year long unit on urban environmentalism, the students toured the Blake House and the Clapp House, learning about the rich agricultural history of the neighborhood and of life in the early 1800’s. The students’ project culminated in planting Everett Square with eleven apples, nine pears, two apricots, two cherries, two peaches, and two plums. The students visited the site several times after the trees were planted to label the trees and plant perennials. The children from the Russell School have benefited substantially from their efforts.
- Location: Russell School: 750 Columbia Rd.; Everett Square: Intersection of East Cottage and Columbia Rd.
- Plants:
- Russell School: Four apples (Ginger Gold, Feather Red, Liberty & Macoun varieties), Two Northstar Pie cherries, nine filazels, and raspberry bushes.
- Everett Square: Eleven apples (Roxbury Russet, Northern Spy, Ashmead’s Kernel, Pumpkin Sweet, Black Oxford, Baldwin, Green Sweet, Calville Blanc d’Hiver, and Winter White Pearmain varieties), two cherries (Montgomery & Morello), nine pears (Seckel, Dana Hovey, Bartlett, Rose, Clapp’s Favorite, Tyson), two apricots (Blenheim & Moorpark), two George VI peaches, and two plums (Mirabelle & Green Gage).
- Accessibility: Everett Square is completely open, but please call before going to the Russell School to gather fruit or nuts and only gather when school is not in session.
