Permaculture Design/Education: Community Gardens

Designing a Community Garden (Part 1):  Leo Pena Placita Park, Mission, Texas.

Our host this morning, Ray Perez, has the City of Mission's backing in his quest to possibly turn the amphitheater section of the park into a permaculture community garden. While Perez has yet to start formal planning, leading to a presentation to the city commission, he asked for ideas with which to start the planning process from those in attendance. Hector Rene Garcia, Architect and Partner, of Mata+Garcia Architects offered to produce the graphics needed to get the project approved.

 Ray Perez talks about his vision for a community garden in downtown Mission. He asked attendees about the best way to treat ground level fill, how to reduce weeds and provide nutrients, good places to get decent soil/mulch, ideas for plants that would do well in this terraced setting, noting a need for plant color and typical plant  types for hummingbirds and butterflies.

A view of the amphitheater stage, center, with both semi-circular (west) and elliptical (east) seating levels.

It was suggested that Perez propose the community garden on the terraced elliptical portion of the amphitheater and leave the semi-circular portion as functioning amphitheater seating for community events.

Designing a Community Garden (Part 2): Trinity Community Garden - Pharr, Texas

Our final stop was at 210 West Caffery (Bluebonnet corner), a lot being developed as a community garden by Alice Lee Williams Penrod, Steven Johnson and Virginia Costilla.  

The group has planted lab-lab in preparing the soil for the future community garden.  The goals are to have "anchor" families that are dedicated to permaculture as a part of life and diet and taking care of self and family. The group hopes to have corporate sponsors for each family with a community harvest, followed by a potluck supper, after each season.

It was suggested that a portion of the property use native plants as a way to attract butterflies and birds.

The UTPA Permaculture Design and Education Workshop close with yet another outstanding meal from Empanadas Argentinas, Sara Alicia Larronde, a permaculture enthusiast as well!

Detail: Edinburg High School

One of four skylight galleries that light-up the student

corridors as students move from one class to another.

Throw-back Thursday: North Elementary

Detail of Gymnasium Graphics

Throw-back Thursday: Perez Elementary Library

While in Brownsville the other day, I drove past two projects that we designed for the Brownsville Independent School District four years ago. It was good to see that the school maintenance staff has done an excellent job of maintaining the facility as well as the grounds.

Truan Gym Renovation Update

View of the gym interior - May 2012. The ceiling wrap for the insulation was torn, metal wall panels were missing and daylight visible, windows leaked and the floor was warped.

The renovation work is nearing completion - March 2013. The gym interior includes new wall surfaces, graphics, lighting, a/c system, flooring and bleachers. The general contractor, Foremost Construction, is scheduled to turn the facility over to the Edcouch-Elsa ISD at their April 2013 Board of Trustees meeting.

Vanguard Academy - Update

The foundation has been poured for this 32,000 sq. ft. elementary school. The general contractor, OG Construction, now proceeds with the erection of the walls. This is a first for our firm in that it is an all wood-frame school. Completion Date schedule for May 19, 2013.