In the spring of 2003, three Morrisville State College Landscape Architecture students submitted the winning entry for a landscape design competition sponsored by the New York State Nursery and Landscape Association (NYSNLA). Rudi Hendricks, Brian Shutts, and Tina Wiers worked with Assistant Professor Aida Khalil on the redesign of a courtyard garden in the Horticulture Building at The State Fair Grounds.

Their design solution incorporated several program elements including an awards display area, a water feature, seating walls, various hardscape materials and tiered beds of woody & herbaceous plantings. Utilizing a diagonal layout theme and a tiered planting scheme, their design concept maximized the use of space and overcame the spatial constraints of the courtyard garden. The final illustrative plan was presented at a NYSNLA awards ceremony and displayed in the Horticulture Building during the 2003 State Fair. These students will continue to be involved in the construction & installation of the new garden which is projected to open in time for the 2004 New York State Fair.