Midvale Elementary School

502 Caromar Drive, Madison WI, 53711

Total Student Enrollment: 439
TESTING PRIORITY: HIGH
ABSTRACT
The school was built before lead was phased out of paint and gasoline. The building is made out
of brick, therefore lead paint was unlikely used on the outside of the building, though it is
probable that lead paint was used on the inside of the building. However, the garden is located in
close proximity to heavily trafficked Midvale Rd. Moreover, since the soil used for gardening is
native (not imported) and there is no apparent documentation about previous soil testing, testing
the soil would be of high priority.
GARDEN CHARACTERISTICS
There are two main sections to the Midvale Garden. One contains garden plots open to the public
while the other portion is for school children and staff.
Garden Type: The community plots mainly support vegetables and herbs. The
school garden supports sunflowers, vegetables and fruit trees and a portion of this area is
a butterfly garden.
Establishment: The community garden was established in 2006 and the school
garden was established in 2007.
Size: The community garden consists of 44 plots, each 100 square feet (4,400
square feet total). No information found for the size of the school garden.
Location on School Grounds: The garden is located on the southwest corner of
Midvale Elementary, running perpendicular to Midvale Boulevard.
Soil Type/Soil Origins: Soil is not purchased for the garden; the ground soil is
used. Compost and Marsh hay have been added to the soil. Wood chips are used on
pathways and entry way to garden but not on plots.
Mitigation Used: Some individuals within the community garden plots use raised
beds to hold soil in place, but not all do. The school garden plot also uses raised beds.
Has Soil Been Tested: No information found at the moment.
NEARBY LAND USE
Major Roads: W. Beltline Hwy
The W. Beltline Hwy is less than 1.5 miles from Midvale Elementary. The beltline was present
before lead was phased out of gasoline and therefore had lead gasoline car traffic. Two roads
border the school site, Midvale Boulevard and Caromar Drive. Midvale Boulevard was
established between 1945 and 1955 while Caromar Drive was created prior to that time.
PAST SITE USE

As of 1949 the school site was bare land until the school was built.
CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION
Initial Construction:Midvale Elementary School was built between 1949 and 1955 (acquired
from aerial photos).
Renovations: No information found about renovations.
BUILDING MATERIALS
Midvale Elementary School was built with brick and mortar. It is likely that lead paint was used
inside the building since it was built before lead was phased out of paint. It is unlikely that a
large amount of paint was used on exterior walls since they are brick, therefore limiting the
amount of lead in the soils from rainfall on the building.
The current location of the school garden is in red.