Landscape Architect Articles

Re-Entry Alliance Pensacola Garden11-02-16 | Department

Re-Entry Alliance Pensacola Garden
Michael Miyamoto, LASN

The REAP Garden in Pensacola, Fla., is one of the ways Re-Entry Alliance Pensacola is trying to help ex-offenders just released from prison and jail to successfully transition back into society. Jerry Pate Design, Inc., also of Pensacola, designed the project pro bono.
Photo: Steve Dana

Re-Entry Alliance Pensacola's goal in Florida is to reduce the recidivism rate of ex-offenders released from prison and the county jail, and help them as much as possible when they transition back to society.

Since it opened, the REAP Garden has become a critical element of the not-for-profit corporation's overall mission, and Jerry Pate Design Inc., also of Pensacola, played a major role in helping to make it happen.

The landscape architecture firm provided site planning, landscape architecture, and project management services to the REAP Garden project, including project coordination, layout, sequencing and education "?u all of it pro bono.

The REAP Garden, constructed on a blighted vacant lot in the Brownsville neighborhood, is a place for ex-offenders to work and make positive, worthwhile contributions to the community.

"It provides opportunities for those ex-offenders to begin becoming productive members of their communities leading up to and upon their release from incarceration," said Steve Dana, ASLA and vice president of the firm. Jerry Pate is the owner and president.

"We were motivated to do this project because we believe in the REAP program, its mission, and the people leading it," Dana said. "The project came at a time when our city was rebuilding from a devastating Hurricane Ivan. We were asked to give our abilities and expertise, and did so without hesitation to help rebuild a part of our community in need and to support a worthy mission."

All the produce cultivated at the REAP Garden is donated to the Richard's Memorial United Methodist Church food ministry, located across the street from the worksite, and later given to underprivileged people in the community. Ex-offenders constructed practically all of the REAP Garden themselves, including 75 raised garden boxes, entry arbor, irrigation system and paved walkways. Local suppliers donated all the pavers, lumber and mulch. REAP volunteers planted the perimeter landscaping and orchard trees.

"The project has been a large success," Dana said. "It continues to provide a high yield of produce for the church food ministry. Volunteers and ex-offenders continue to work together in the garden to provide food for the neighborhood and build a better future for each other and the community."

As seen in LASN magazine, November 2016.