Heavy machinery has taken over the vacant lot next door to White Rock North School, moving earth in preparation for much anticipated improvements.

The lot was purchased last year by Mary Adams, Founder and Principal of the school.

The purchase effectively canceled DART's plans to build a walkway from their new station in the Lake Highlands Town Center into the residential area adjacent to the school.

For a little history on the land acquisition and DART's initial light rail plans, click here.

School administrators at White Rock North, parents and residents in the Lake Highlands North neighborhood had cited concerns about the potential rail station's easy access to homes and close proximity to the school.

Since the purchase by the school, plans for the lot now include a nature center which will feature vegetable and flower gardens for the children to work in and bird houses and benches in an observation area.

To further enrich the children’s educational opportunities, the school will enlist a master gardener to provide inspiration for the design of the gardens and to serve as an educational resource for curriculum and teaching.

“Our expansion offers the perfect canvas for providing fun, new learning opportunities for our students,” says Adams.

“The nature center will create an exciting outdoor classroom where our teachers can link the center with other important subjects including biology and ecology.”

Plans for the improvements to the 3/4 acre plot also include additional parking for teachers and parents visiting the school, which currently serves 262 children ages 6 weeks through 5th grade.

Ms. Adams explains the reasoning behind this new parking area.

"We had a severe need for parking to alleviate problems for our parents, due to increased enrollment, as well as to meet the needs of our neighbors."

According to Adams, construction should be completed by this summer.

Other recent improvements to the school include an expanded and updated playground, new lunchroom murals, renovations to lower level classrooms and the indoor swimming pool, and resurfacing of the floor in the full-sized gym.

Even the school mascot, a horse named Ginger, is enjoying spruced up accommodations in her barn and corral.

White Rock North School is located on the corner of White Rock Trail and Walnut Hill Lane, and is currently celebrating its 46th year in Lake Highlands.

For more information about the school, visit http://www.whiterocknorthschool.com.