Residents —young and old — from throughout the area gathered on Churchton Street Tuesday afternoon with gloves and shovels in an effort to take part in a community project designed to develop an outdoor classroom program within the city.

The Laurel Continental Societies, Inc., has partnered with the City of Laurel, the Laurel School District, Mississippi State University, the Jones County Extension Service and the Lauren Rogers Museum are working to create this outdoor classroom program.

Along with the partners, various workers with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Mississippi soil and Water Conservation along with several local residents attended the program’s first planting session on Tuesday.

Students from Oak Park and Stainton Elementary Schools, along with the Continental Societies, the Jones County Soil and Water Conservation, The Shade Eliminator, the Laurel Federated Club and the Laurel Tree Board took part in planting the first trees at the Outdoor Classroom Garden.

Jamar Jackson, principal at Oak Park Elementary School, said 18 students from Oak Park and 10 students from Stainton took part in the project.

“This is a great thing for our community,” Jackson said. “It’s going to teach the students responsibility, instill pride and help them to explore the other opportunities available to them.

Laurel Mayor Melvin Mack praised Doncella Milton, who is the national public relations officer for the Continental Societies, for her work on this project.

Mack said Milton and all those involved are creating a wonderful learning opportunity for the residents of Laurel.

Milton said she’s pleased with the number of people who turned out for the planting.

“It’s been a wonderful day,” she said. “We have gotten so much cooperation ... and the community really came out and supported us.”

Milton said the facility will be a safe place where children and youth can learn to express themselves in an extended classroom surrounded by the wonders of nature.

“We believe when parents, teachers and the community work together on projects like Outdoor Classrooms, a place where students are engaged in hands on experience outside the traditional classroom setting, everyone succeeds,” Milton said. “The program is a way teachers can provide students with learning opportunities that strengthen natural science lessons, teach students the importance of natural resources through environmental education, and enhance classroom work in mathematics, reading, writing, history and the arts.”

Kris Pierce, a fifth grade science teacher at Oak Park, agreed.

Pierce said the outdoor classroom project and Tuesday’s planting coincides with what’s being taught in his class.

“We have just completed talking about life science and we are currently studying earth science,” he said. “All of this today goes along with our classroom work.” Milton said the outdoor classroom will consist of several small raised flower beds where the students will plant flowers and trees while learning horticulture science.”

Eleven-year-old Bryan Crosby, a fifth grader at Oak Park Elementary School, said he likes being able to come out to the garden and use his hands to plant things.

“I like digging things and being able to plant others,” he said. “I also like finding rocks and old things.

Jahmauri Campbell, also a student at Oak Park, said he learned a lot from Tuesday’s activity.

“I learned a lot from just being able to do to water the oil, plant the trees and water them,” Campbell said. “I like it all. We had fun.”

Councilwoman Felecia Breland praised those helping to enhance the area.

“This will improve the environment of Ward Seven and enhance the quality of life,” Breland said. The trees will provide a variety of benefits to the community and citizens.”

Milton said once the garden is complete, it will house the Howard Greenhouse, which will be a fully equipped greenhouse. It will also include a set of sculptures created by the museum and the students participating in the project and a center brick walkway with personalized brick pavers.

Also, tucked away in the garden will be two, 3-row bleachers, each bleacher with a seating capacity of 30 students.

A broad iron fence was recently installed around the facility in October.

Milton said native trees and shrubs will be planted to line the walkway where there will be seating added for resting and reading.

In a separate garden, the students will plant and grow vegetables while learning the benefits of healthy eating habits.

Milton said the Outdoor Classroom Garden will offer an opportunity for families to come together on weekends to work with their children and show their support of the project being developed for the community.

The local Continental Societies conducted a groundbreaking ceremony at the property in March. Since then, the groundwork and preparation work had to be conducted.

Milton said the mission of the group is to create environments within our communities that empowers children to have access to quality and appropriate opportunities to reach their optimal potential.

Prior to the installation of the fence, Jones County donated numerous loads of dirt to be used to build up the lot where the garden is being located.

Milton said the school district will also donate an old bus that will be converted into a classroom.

“We will paint the old bus and put flowers and vines on it,” she said. “I’m so excited. .... Once we complete the project, people won’t know that it was a school bus.”

“We are just working to utilize all the resources available to us,” Milton added. “We want to make something nice for our community.”

Lillie Lindsey, president of the Laurel Federated Club who lives on Churchton Street, said Tuesday’s activity brought back memories of her father who planted things along the area near the outdoor garden.

“It’s awesome for me to see this happen in my neighborhood,” Lindsey said. “It’s great to see progress being made. ... I’m just elated.”

Milton said anyone wanting more information about the project can contact her by e-mail at doncellam@netscape.com