It is hard to believe that more than two years have passed since we lost our friend and founder, Suzy Peacock. REAL School Gardens grew out of her vision and tireless dedication, and it is with profound admiration and gratitude that we remember all she did to enrich the lives of children and our own lives as well. Thanks to her critical leadership, REAL School Gardens has grown into a national leader in the movement to nurture a generation of healthier, happier, and smarter children through outdoor learning. This school year more than 45,000 children and 2,800 educators at 81 high-poverty North Texas schools have access to the unique learning experiences afforded by their school gardens. It is an accomplishment that Suzy would surely celebrate.

SHARING SUZY’S VISION

In 2010-2011,  a group of individuals came together to honor their loved one by forming the Suzy Peacock Friendship Circle. Their gifts helped to create a special learning garden in her memory at Holiday Heights Elementary School (Birdville ISD) in North Richland Hills, Texas. Today, the 700 children at Holiday Heights have their very own outdoor space to explore and discover. Featuring a unique flower-shaped central learning feature composed of perennials, butterfly plants, and an earth science station, this first "Suzy garden" is already a favorite of children, teachers, and even neighbors. As it invites children to learn and imagine, Suzy's legacy remains strong.

A learning center within the Holiday Heights Elementary outdoor classroom. 

In 2011-2012, members of the Suzy Peacock Friendship Circle came together again to share Suzy's vision with a new school community. Their gifts helped to plant a new learning garden at Charles Rice Learning Center (Dallas ISD), where a community of children, parents, educators, neighbors, and friends are now building stronger futures through engagement in the outdoors. At the heart of this learning garden, a signature spiral herb bed stands as a testament to Suzy's enduring impact.  Members of the Suzy Peacock Friendship Circle honor a truly special person by ensuring that her vision endures at Charles Rice Learning Center in the Fair Park area of Dallas, Texas.

A section of the Charles Rice Learning Center REAL school garden, including signature herb bed, on installation day.

If you would like to make a donation in remembrance of Suzy, please visit our Donate page and select "Join The Suzy Peacock Friendship Circle" as your gift designation.