A once-overlooked courtyard at the heart of the Laramie Plains Civic Center is being transformed into a vibrant community gathering space, thanks to a powerful partnership between the Laramie Plains Civic Center and local nonprofit Common Outdoor Ground (COG). The effort, fueled by volunteers, grants, and donations, aims to turn the space into a hub for connection, education, and sustainability.
On Saturday, May 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., dozens of volunteers gathered to roll up turf, move heavy tires, construct raised beds, and help bring the vision of an accessible green courtyard to life. The event was organized by Jessica Brauer, Executive Director of the Laramie Plains Civic Center, and Nicole Foss, Director of Common Outdoor Ground.
“This has been a true labor of love,” said Brauer. “People have really wanted to be involved. That’s not true of every project, but this one has just resonated with folks.”
The revitalized courtyard will feature four large garden boxes, one of which will be used by Jackrabbit Workshop for non-invasive dye plants. Others will support vegetables and pollinator-friendly native plants. With drip irrigation systems in place, the space is designed to be low-maintenance and highly usable by tenants and the public alike.
“The Civic Center has always been about community and learning,” said Brauer. “This new courtyard continues that mission, offering opportunities for connection through nature, sustainability, and play.”
The courtyard will also include picnic tables donated by the City of Laramie Parks Department, and eventually a cushioned play surface to accommodate children from the building’s daycare and visiting families.
Supported by grants from the Laramie Rivers Conservation District and the Laramie Garden Club, and buoyed by countless hours of volunteer labor, valued at approximately $32 per hour, the effort reflects deep community investment. Foss estimated that by the end of the day, volunteers had contributed hundreds of hours to the cause.
Plans include an official launch event later in the summer, ongoing educational displays created with Feeding Laramie Valley, and the potential for annual garden workdays to maintain and celebrate the space.
While the bulk of the labor may be completed, fundraising continues. “We’re about 80% funded,” said Bauer. “We’re still raising money for the playing surface and educational signage.”
Community members who wish to support the project can donate via the Civic Center’s website or through their social media channels.
For Brauer and Foss, the courtyard’s transformation is about more than gardening. “We get to build a space with a mission,” Foss said, “and then the community gets to make it their own. That’s the real magic.”
