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The students of Laurel First Baptist School will be enjoying a more peaceful environment come April, thanks to the efforts of four parents who are creating a serenity garden.

Laurel resident Joshua Martineau was among the four men who endured the snowy weather Jan. 19 to continue working on the 25-by-15-foot garden, which will feature vegetables, flowers and other plants."They'll learn a little easier with the hands-on, or hands-dirtier, experience," said Martineau, 36, step-father of fifth-grader Heather Owens.

Two students, seventh-grader Robert Wood, 12, and eighth-grader Gerard Vanloo, 13, both of Laurel, got involved on their day off to lay down topsoil and gravel for the garden.

The idea for the garden came from a November meeting of Dads and Donuts, a group at the school that allows fathers and grandfathers to help with school service projects.

Describing it as a horticultural learning center, First Baptist Principal Francine Frazier-Wallace said the garden will be an outdoor classroom where students will study nature, plant and vegetable growth, as well as a dedicated space for student prayer and meditation.

"It's important for children with an urban lifestyle to reconnect with [nature]" she said. "We're hoping the students learn food comes from places other than the grocery store."

The garden will be completed in three phases. The first phase of laying down boards to form the six garden plots was held on the first weekend in January. On Monday, the second phase of laying down the topsoil was completed, and the third phase will be the planting of seeds and plants.

Frazier-Wallace said there is no set date for when the plants and flowers will be planted, but she hopes to have the garden ready by April.

"The children should be able to utilize the garden after spring break," she said.

Bowie resident Bill Guinane, 47, father of eighth-grader William Guiane, said he was pleased to be given the opportunity to give back to the school.

"It's nice for the dads to come out and do something to help the school," he said. "And they did it on a day when we could all come out and play."

The two students helping out were optimistic about the garden.

Robert said the garden should attract parents possibly interested in enrolling their students at First Baptist.

"It does help with the school because it can probably get some parents to come and send there kids here," he said.

Gerard said he is looking forward to learning and spending time in the peaceful surroundings.

"Most people can think better in a calm environment, so I'm looking forward to this being finished," he said.

E-mail Timmy Gelles at tgelles@gazette.net.