Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
A group of University of Kentucky landscape architecture students transformed a class project into real-world impact in Paris, Kentucky. Tasked with reimagining a neighborhood long overshadowed by its proximity to a city dump, these students developed visionary design plans that are now shaping the future of the Westside community.
Led by UK faculty member Bill Henkel from the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, the students partnered with local leaders and residents to listen, design, and deliver proposals that sparked a movement. Their ideas—centered on green space, community gardens, trails and more—became the foundation for a multi-million-dollar redevelopment effort.
The students return to see progress firsthand and reflect on how their classroom experience became a catalyst for change.
Read the full article here: https://news.ca.uky.edu/article/drawing-community-needs-uk-landscape-architecture-students-help-transform-neighborhood
Learn more about UK’s Department of Landscape Architecture: https://ukla.ca.uky.edu
Learn more about the City of Paris revitalization project: paris.ky.gov
Media contact: Christopher.Carney@uky.edu
For press inquiries: ce.huffman@uky.edu
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The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment serves the people of Kentucky and the world, through unparalleled teaching, transformative research and relevant service to farms, families and communities. The college proudly continues to build upon its land grant tradition with a strong commitment to improve lives and to build a sustainable future. Learn more: ca.uky.edu
Apply and start your future in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment: students.ca.uky.edu/future-students
The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service provides practical education you can trust to help people, businesses, and communities solve problems, develop skills, and build a better future. Find an office near you: extension.ca.uky.edu
A group of University of Kentucky landscape architecture students transformed a class project into real-world impact in Paris, Kentucky. Tasked with reimagining a neighborhood long overshadowed by its proximity to a city dump, these students developed visionary design plans that are now shaping the future of the Westside community.
Led by UK faculty member Bill Henkel from the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, the students partnered with local leaders and residents to listen, design, and deliver proposals that sparked a movement. Their ideas—centered on green space, community gardens, trails and more—became the foundation for a multi-million-dollar redevelopment effort.
The students return to see progress firsthand and reflect on how their classroom experience became a catalyst for change.
Read the full article here: https://news.ca.uky.edu/article/drawing-community-needs-uk-landscape-architecture-students-help-transform-neighborhood
Learn more about UK’s Department of Landscape Architecture: https://ukla.ca.uky.edu
Learn more about the City of Paris revitalization project: paris.ky.gov
Media contact: Christopher.Carney@uky.edu
For press inquiries: ce.huffman@uky.edu
-----
The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment serves the people of Kentucky and the world, through unparalleled teaching, transformative research and relevant service to farms, families and communities. The college proudly continues to build upon its land grant tradition with a strong commitment to improve lives and to build a sustainable future. Learn more: ca.uky.edu
Apply and start your future in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment: students.ca.uky.edu/future-students
The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service provides practical education you can trust to help people, businesses, and communities solve problems, develop skills, and build a better future. Find an office near you: extension.ca.uky.edu
