(above photo) Hilltop Garden and Nature Center director, Debra Bunn (left), shown in the greenhouse with one of Hilltop's supporters, avid gardener, Patty Pizzo. Photo by Becky Buher http://www.indiana.edu/ ~recpark/hilltop.html

Hilltop Garden and Nature Center

Providing opportunities to learn, grow, cultivate and reap abundant rewards

My best childhood memories are related to dirt -- squatting in the flowerbed edging the front of our house to peer at the pink "Dutchman's Breeches" growing there. Or, wandering across a newly disked field in the late afternoon, the warm, moist soil grabbing at my bare feet and settling for just their shapes.

I still play in the dirt, though now I call it gardening. Preparing the soil, planting, watching flowers, fruits and vegetables grow, then gathering blossoms for vases, tomatoes for salad -- the process is deeply satisfying and connects me to something larger than myself.

Many people, young and old, find similar pleasure in gardening. That's one reason IUB's Hilltop Garden and Nature Center, one of the oldest children's gardening programs in the U.S., will celebrate its 50th birthday this summer.

Biology professor Barbara Shulucha (right in photo at left) founded and operated Hilltop Garden and Nature Center from 1948 to 1986. IU Chancellor Herman B Wells, then president of the university, provided an alfalfa field for Shulucha's plan to start a children's gardening program. The first beds were worked by Shulucha, ladies from the Bloomington Garden Club, and the original "Hilltopper" kids. When Shulucha retired in 1986, the IU Department of Recreation and Park Administration in the IUB School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation took over management. Shulucha died in 1992 and bequeathed to the IU Foundation a grant "to carry out the works to which I have devoted my life." Her donation provided a new garden center building and, appropriately, "seed" money for continued support of the annual operation of Hilltop. File photo provided by Hilltop Garden and Nature Center

Since 1948, Hilltop has nurtured both people and plants. Perhaps five thousand 8 to 14 year-olds have learned about responsibility and caring for the environment at Hilltop. Some "Hilltoppers" have turned that experience into their lives' work. Tom McNamara, for example, opened McNamara Garden Center northwest of Indianapolis and is founding a children's gardening program based upon Hilltop's philosophies. And Julia Wilder, also in Indianapolis, works as an attorney in agricultural law and is writing a book of oral histories collected from women farmers.

Debra Bunn is director of Hilltop Garden and Nature Center and lecturer in recreation and park administration. A master horticultural therapist, Bunn suspects the alienation of today's youth is, in part, a reaction to urbanization and overcrowding, which function literally as concrete barriers to some kind of primal development.

"If you completely surround people with concrete, something that is not alive," Bunn explains, "where do they learn that lesson about respect for life above the earth and below it?"

As a teaching greenhouse, Hilltop is certified organic and focuses on diversity -- growing a wide array of new, unusual and "heirloom" plants. A number of different growing environments are provided, including a water garden established just last summer.

Hilltop expanded in 1991 to include 20 acres of classified forest donated by longtime supporter Doris Seward. The forest augments the cultivated garden site by providing a setting for learning natural history, principles of forest ecology and non-interventive techniques of woodland management.

The enjoyment of gardening at Hilltop is not limited to children. Continuing studies offers classes at a nominal fee -- "Beekeeping," and "Perennials for Shade Gardening" -- for example, and a Hilltop Community Education Series will be offered for the first time this summer.

"To be therapeutic," says Bunn, "an activity has to link the mind, body and spirit. Gardening does that and more. There is a strong sense of community at Hilltop.

We're really a family."

You're invited...

In 1948, the Bloomington and Indiana University communities worked together in the best "town and gown" fashion to make Barbara Shulucha's children's gardening program a reality at Hilltop.

This summer, all are invited to come together again, July 18, in celebration of Hilltop Garden and Nature Center's 50th anniversary.

A day-long program will feature Judith Zuk of the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, who will speak on "Greening the Concrete Jungle." IU's Shalucha got her start at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, which offered America's first children's gardening program.

Activities are scheduled throughout the day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m, and will include an open house, historical displays and a basket lunch.

A concerted effort is being made to identify and locate former "Hilltoppers," and Jean Anderson, president of the Hilltop Educational Foundation, Inc., is asking for help.

"We hope to extend an invitation to all former Hilltoppers to be here for our celebration to see old friends and make new ones," says Anderson. "If you or someone you know was associated with Hilltop Gardens, please contact us at 812-855-2799 or 812-336-3334."

Those interested in further details regarding the anniversary celebration may also call the phone numbers noted above.

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