Self Sustainable Community Park

For this project, I wanted to create something that would be environmentally friendly, as well as having an important place in a town or neighborhood.

This is a 3-D model of a sustainable community park. It includes a vegetable garden, rainwater harvesting system, and composting (which will make soil for the garden). I wanted to create a self sustainable community garden to limit environmental impact, as industrial farms use lots of resources such as water and transportation emission. In my self-sustainable garden, compost and rainwater provide most resources for the plants.

Another benefit of a neighborhood park is that it is a place where community members can meet and build connections. The garden is a place where volunteers can socialize, while also taking care of the plants and making a difference in their community.

1. Craft Sticks
2. Hot Glue Gun
3. Green Paper (different shades)
4. Orange Paper
5. Brown Card stock
6. Sturdy Piece of Card Stock or thin Cardboard
7. Artificial Trees
8. Coloring Tools
9. Small Cord
10. Toothpicks

Software Used: Tinkercad

First, I found information on ways that parks and gardens could be considered sustainable. I found that composting and rainwater harvesting are two of the many ways. Next, I did research about the rainwater harvesting system I included in my model. I found some reference photos and information, and made mine based on several photos and diagrams of rainwater collecting systems. Lastly, I did my research on composting. I decided to include a main composting bin in the garden, and two separate composting cans throughout the park, which would empty into the main bin in the garden.

For this step, I used Tinkercad to make a design of my park to use as reference when building the 3-D model. I wanted to make the park with a central path, and a smaller trail branching off to the garden. I also added essential park items: trees, benches, trash and recycling cans, and a picnic table. First, I created the base and the path, then the trees. I then added a park bench and a picnic table. Lastly, I designed the garden area, which included the fences, vegetables, rainwater harvesting system, and composting bin.

For this step, I used a sturdy piece of card stock as my base, and covered it with green paper. I then cut and glued down the path, which I made out of beige paper. For the trees, I made trunks out of craft sticks, and used paper for the leaves. For the palm tree, I cut out six leaves and hot glued them to the trunk. Next, to make the maple tree, I crumpled green paper and glued it on the trunk. I also used artificial trees as pine trees. Then, for the bench and table, I cut craft sticks and glued them together. I also added trash and recycling cans which I made out of paper and colored with markers.

For the garden, I made the fence out of hot glue. First, I drew the fence design with hot glue on parchment paper, then took it off when it was dry. Next, I made the rainwater system and the compost bin. For the barrel and the bin, I used brown and black paper. For the water pipe, I used a small gray cord, and I used paper for the green water bin. I glued the barrel, pipe, and water bin together to make the rainwater harvesting system. Finally, I built the base (dirt) for the garden out of brown card stock, and used paper for the plants, with toothpicks as stems.

I enjoyed this project very much, and learned a lot about self-sustainable gardens and parks. It was a fun experience for me because I love bringing my ideas to life. I hope this project will inspire more environmentally-friendly parks and community gardens in the future.