The Victory Garden
Victory Elementary School was built in 1942 with a grant from the US government to meet the needs of Center Line Public Schools (CLPS) and its rapidly growing population. Families were moving to the Center Line / Warren area for jobs created to support the war effort and the auto industry. The elementary school was a wooden structure built with a brick exterior that served the district in a variety of capacities over its eighty years of existence. The building was razed in 2024, leaving a vacant piece of property in the heart of our central campus. This 3/4 acre parcel is adjacent to Center Line High School, Wolfe Middle School, and Peck Elementary.
To maximize the educational value of this property, CLPS has partnered with the Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development’s Parks and Natural Resources, Michigan State University Extension’s MSU-Detroit Partnership for Food, Learning and Innovation (DP-FLI) and AEW, Inc. to developed the Victory Garden, named after the demolished Victory Elementary, to introduce students to hands-on experiences that they might not normally have. This Agricultural Learning and Community Urban Garden and Forest Center will be the only learning site of its kind in southern Macomb County. Students will actively participate in lessons that will promote teamwork and foster a sense of pride, and will learn firsthand the connection between nature, their food supply, and the pollinators and other creatures their school garden ecosystem attracts and supports. This initiative aims to not only enhance the academic experience but also promote a deeper understanding of sustainable agriculture, water conservation, healthy eating habits, and environmental stewardship.
This is not only an educational agricultural site for students but also for the community living within CLPS’s boundaries. For this reason, it is our goal to create, manage, and support the site through educational grants, donations, volunteerism, and partnerships with businesses. Supporters of this project contribute to the overall well-being and academic success of our students, as well as the revitalization of our community. Assistance can take various forms, such as financial contributions, donations of materials and supplies, professional mentorship, volunteer support, or advocacy on behalf of our cause.
