West Reading

After narrowing the scope of the West Reading Project down to landscaping three hillsides, the interns worked with their community partners to develop landscaping plans for the hillsides. Laura's background as a landscape architecture student gave her the experience she needed to assist with the development of the designs. The completed designs drew on input from key community partners and called for the use of hardy native plants to stabilize and beautify the sites.

With the plans in place, the partnership began the implementation phase of the project. Each of the three hillsides were divided into three separate projects. By the end of the internship the interns had fully completed one hillside and began planting a second. In total, 1,333 plants were planted over the course of the internship.

The project inspired residents, businesses, organizations, and the Borough of West Reading to better care for the community's outdoor spaces. Additionally, the West Reading Neighborhood Initiative plans to complete the work on the second and third hillsides.

The West Reading Project has resulted in beautifully landscaped hillsides and a valuable learning experience for the community partners, the interns, and KPB. The project has demonstrated the need for a rigorous community and intern selection and placement process to ensure that communities are capable of receiving interns and to ensure that interns are well suited for communities.

West Reading Intern Report , PDF
KPB Report Summary , PDF
West Reading Contacts, PDF
West Reading Site Analysis, PDF
West Reading News Article, JPG
West Reading News Article 2 Page 1, JPG
West Reading News Article 2 Page 2, JPG
West Reading, PowerPoint