The Oak Park Arms Senior Living hosted local Oak Park students from Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School for a gardening project on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. The joint session was for the Brooks Earth Action Team’s (BEAT) Roots program, an innovative intergenerational gardening initiative with local seniors.
The program is spearheaded by Brooks eighth-grade science teacher Laura Stamp, a 2023-‘24 Fulbright Distinguished Teacher Award recipient. Stamp completed a four-month sabbatical in Vietnam, where she studied climate change on the prestigious Fulbright grant.
The collaboration brings together residents of the Oak Park Arms and students from Brooks’ BEAT club. Stamp is also on the school district’s Sustainability Task Force and is guiding the students in their mission to learn and act on environmental issues within the community.
The BEAT Roots project, which began over the summer with monthly gardening meetings, received a $10,000 grant from the Township of Oak Park River Forest for an intergenerational project. The funding is being used to build sustainable infrastructure, including raised garden beds designed to be easily accessible for seniors. The garden space includes new picnic tables for collaborative work. Local Eagle Scouts have also donated to the project by building and donating raised garden beds.
The intergenerational partnership met at the Oak Park Arms where approximately 40 participants, including 20 students, residents of the Oak Park Arms, and members of the Oak Park community, worked together to create seed paper and seed bombs using native plant and flower seeds.
“Thanks to the Oak Park Arms for joining us,” Stamp said. “The kids loved interacting with the seniors and were really engaged. The group plans to meet again in January or February to continue their intergenerational project.”
The collaboration is a highlight for the senior residents, providing a direct link to younger generations and a hands-on learning experience.
“Seeing the enthusiasm of the BEAT students working side-by-side with our residents is truly wonderful,” said Renee Steingaard, director of leasing and resident engagement at the Oak Park Arms. “This program isn’t just about growing plants; it’s about growing meaningful connections and allowing our seniors to share their knowledge while learning new ideas about sustainability from the students.”
Oak Park Arms Senior Living is a rental retirement community that provides senior housing in the form of independent living. A licensed home care agency is onsite to provide support services for seniors. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month, or longer.
For more information call 708-386-4040.
BEAT Roots Gardening Photo Gallery
