Yale's Engineers Without Borders collaborates to build space at Milford Community Garden
Written by Natalie Haase '27
On Sunday, April 27th, members of the Yale Chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB) joined forces with the Connecticut Professional Chapter to transform a section of the Milford Community Garden into a welcoming space for local gardeners and visitors. The project aimed to create a communal area where individuals with garden plots could relax and enjoy the natural environment.
The idea was simple but meaningful: to design a peaceful gathering space that encourages community interaction and outdoor enjoyment. The final build included benches, a small water fountain, birdhouses to attract local wildlife, and freshly planted native greenery—all situated to take full advantage of the sunset views over the garden.
Preparation for the project began a month in advance, with student and professional engineers meeting regularly to design the space, develop material lists, and coordinate logistics. A site assessment visit was conducted in early April to gather measurements and survey the grading—factors that informed both aesthetic and functional design choices
The build day itself lasted about six hours and brought together roughly a dozen volunteers from both chapters. Tasks ranged from leveling and clearing the area to spreading gravel, planting perennial flowers, and assembling the fountain. At one point, a CT professional chapter member remarked, “The grading looks to be about 3% now—that should be sufficient,” as the team carefully ensured proper drainage and long-term stability. Leave it to a group of engineers to bring precision and technical rigor to even the most serene garden build—proof that thoughtful design can elevate even small community spaces.
For many Yale EWB members, the Milford project was a chance to apply engineering principles to a real-world community initiative while building relationships with experienced professionals. For the professional chapter, it was an opportunity to mentor the next generation of engineers and give back to a local community space.
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Published Date
May 12, 2025
