The Green Atoms are building the first stage of an environmentally responsible redevelopment for the courtyard on Sept. 23 and 24 and Oct. 1.

The project, titled the Trellis Project, hopes to revitalize the “Lost Courtyard.”

The project was led by senior Everett Butler and the Green Atoms to build a trellis, which is anything that a plant can grow on. The trellis that was made was an arching tunnel.

The Green Atoms, along with other volunteers, are going to build a light-weight permanent arbor that will encourage native vines to create a natural, shaded green walkway as the focal point of a low maintenance natural space.

Senior Green Atoms president Janlynn Ngo said, “ The event was a sucess. We had a lot of people that had a construction background and were ready to help.”
The materials used to construct the trellis were already cut up by Butler and his father. The Green Atoms team then built up one structure at a time and put them all together. People then dug the foundation for the trellis and put the trellis in place. The team thenput chicken wire around the unfinished trellis. The Green Atoms plan on finishing the project on Oct. 1. After the trellis is complete, they will begin planting.

The Green Atoms don’t usually do this type of project, but it was introduced by Butler for his Eagle Scout project.

“This is something that we usually don’t do and I don’t really know much about contruction,” said Ngo. “It was really fun because the people were fun and we built somthing tangible so it was cool to see it happen.”

The Green Atoms hope that this first step will bring the courtyard closer to becoming more beautiful.

Students who came to volunteer were given community service hours.
12 people came in to help on Saturday and 15 people on Sunday. They are expecting more next weekend as well.

“I am really happy with all of our work,” Ngo said. “We are happy with all of our hard work and hope more people notice.”