Harry Crimm (right) helps Joe Bracy load gravel into wheelbarrows.

RAYMOND, MS — When college students pile into trucks and drive through the night they’re usually headed to spring break. That wasn’t the agenda for a group of Hinds Community College landscape management students, faculty and alumni. They packed eight trucks full of tools and equipment instead to participate in an ABC Extreme Makeover: Home Edition project to revitalize a park in the Hurricane Katrina-ravaged St. Bernard Parish city.

The Hinds volunteers worked for three days to landscape the 22,500-sq.-ft. Vista Park and plant more than 15 pallets of sod and more than 2,000 trees, shrubs and ornamental grasses. They directed volunteers, operated machinery, and assisted in the demolition of ballpark fences and a batting cage, and the installation of playground equipment, fountains and a bike path.

“Our landscape management department students were leaders on the site and took charge,” said Martha Hill, chair of the school’s landscape management department. Hinds’ Landscape Management Club, which does fundraisers throughout the year, covered expenses.

Even though ABC only showed a quick shot of the Hinds crew during the TV broadcast, it was still a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the students, who worked 12-hour days and spent nights camping at a local landscape company.

“This was a time to help get communities and lives back together,” said student Joe Bracy. “I learned about teamwork and working together and that a plan can come together in 48 hours.”

PLANET approached Hill with the opportunity to participate and she jumped at the chance.

Andrew Embry gives a student from St. Bernard Unified School a lift.

“Our students had a blast and learned more in three days than an entire semester in a classroom,” said Hill.

Chad Harris, landscape manager of the Vista Park Project and owner of Oasis Horticultural Services, Inc., was impressed with the work ethic, abilities and attitude of the Hinds CC volunteers.

“The students from Hinds Community College came with a ‘save the day’ mentality and really made this park happen,” said Harris.

Vista Park once was a community baseball park in a middle-class neighborhood in Chalmette. During Hurricane Katrina, flood waters rose above the rooftops of the houses surrounding the park. Now, the revitalized park stands as an oasis of green in an area surrounded by devastated houses.

The Vista Park Project was part of a four-part series of special episodes that aired in March and April and focused on areas hardest hit by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Hinds volunteers worked long hours to finish the park in Chalmette, LA.  Pictured are (kneeling): Joe Bracy, Jackson; Antwaine Walker, Prentiss; Jeff Mitchell, Vicksburg; Will Scoggin, Flowood; Phil Scoggin, Clinton; Clay Therrell, Brandon; Michael Mitchell, Vicksburg; Brad Porter, Sontag; Brian Clearman, Philadelphia; Michael Oliver, Brandon; and Jonathan McDaniel, Philadelphia. On ground:  Jason Edwards, Madison.  Standing:  Allen Spence, Pocahontas; William Dixon, Diamonhead; Jay Allen, Raymond; Christopher Brown, Vicksburg; Terrence McClenty, Jackson; Melissa Aldy, Flowood; Abdulazeez Hassan, Nigeria; Harry Crimm, Ridgeland; Martha G. Hill, Clinton; Andrew Embry, Vicksburg; Mark Weaver, Decatur; Andrew Simmons, Vicksburg; Nathan Johnson, Pearl; Mike Marler, Crystal Springs; Steven Hamilton, Brandon; Jason Mabe, Vicksburg; and Ann Marie Love, Jackson.