Elementary School Students Converge on Adams National Historical Park for "Farm to School: Picnic in the Park"

Mother and daughter examine a honeybee.

NPS PHOTO

In his epic poem "The Wants of Man" (1840), John Quincy Adams shared his vision for his home when he exclaimed, “I want a garden and a park, my dwelling to surround…and flowers and fruits commingled grow, all Eden to display.” Over 100 years later, this vision would be realized with the designation of Adams National Historical Park.

A Red-tailed hawk perched high above the black walnut tree planted by John Quincy Adams, the fragrant veil of lilac and wisteria vines, early signs of what will become a formal garden of 6,000 annual and perennial flowers, and 11 acres of green open space; converge to display “Eden” for some 180,000 park visitors annually. This was the perfect outdoor classroom for some 250 elementary students from Quincy Public Schools, along with family; and seniors from local Kennedy Center Council on Aging early this spring.

Adams National Historical Park hosted the third annual Farm to School: Picnic in the Park event. Farm to School is a Quincy Public Schools initiative that encourages healthy living in youth, connects youth to their environment, offers more locally sourced food in schools, and gets kids outdoors. Students and families participated in a wide variety of activities throughout the day, all designed to reflect the agricultural heritage of John and Abigail Adams’s farm. Through the generations, Abigail and John’s land was transformed from a working farm into a gentleman’s country estate. A scavenger hunt led students through the park to discover elements of the landscape reflecting the bygone era of the working farm. Students planted a wildflower garden to attract bees and a beekeeper set up an observation hive so students could witness wild bees functioning in a “real time” environment. Each student was provided their own canvas and paint to create their own “garden.” Throughout the day students and family sat together and shared a “picnic in the park,” played colonial games, rolled candles, worked a cider mill, “met” John Adams, ran free, and rolled down the slopping meadow with a freedom and excitement that cannot be experienced in the classroom or with social media.

Days later, seniors from the local Kennedy Center Council on Aging spent the afternoon at the park sketching landscape features as part of an art class to enrich the lives of senior citizens in the community. They delighted in sharing their artwork with each other and park visitors.

Young students, families, and senior citizens alike all experienced A Park for All Ages!