Dr. Chris Sass, Associate Professor and Department Chair for UK’s Department of Landscape Architecture, partners with local nonprofits to provide experiential learning for students. “We, as a university, are in a unique position in that we can aid and learn through experiential learning while providing design ideas to those places who need help,” Dr. Sass explains. “Those partnerships provide me and my students value in knowing we are helping others, which in the end really defines our discipline of being land stewards and place designers.” 

When it came time to select a nonprofit this fall semester, Franklin County Horticulture Extension Agent, Adam Leonberger, connected Dr. Sass with JSP. Leonberger and JSP Board Member, Joyce Bender, have been collaborating with several partners to help resolve and improve the natural ecosystems around the Park. He reports, “This was a way to include UK students while also resolving [those issues].” 

Over the course of the semester, students will create a master plan for an event and garden space near JSP’s historic Tobacco Barn. Part of this design includes a small rain garden off the corner of the barn that would limit erosion caused by rainwater run-off. “Students always ask for 'real-life' projects, and this project is as real as it gets,” Dr. Sass shares. 

Through this experience, he hopes students develop an “ecological ethic” and learn to embrace that landscape design is messy, takes time and energy, and requires adapting to quick changes. “The unique challenges to this project include habitat restoration while creating an artful experience that people will enjoy and will change over time,” Dr. Sass explains. “We hope to provide JSP with multiple design solutions that are feasible and artful in their own rights.” 

JSP looks forward to reviewing students’ designs this December and thanks all involved in the project, including Dr. Chris Sass, Adam Leonberger, UK Department of Landscape Architecture, UK Cooperative Extension, Joyce Bender, and Andrea Mueller of Inside Out Landscape Design.