PRAYER GARDEN PROJECT

3rd Annual Take It Outside Initiative

2025 Prayer Garden at No Longer Bound

In 2025, Take It Outside partnered with No Longer Bound, a residential recovery program for men overcoming addiction, to design and build a new Prayer Garden—a peaceful, purpose-driven outdoor space for reflection, community, and healing.

This was our largest project to date, completed over three intensive workdays with the help of dozens of volunteers and industry professionals who donated their time, materials, and expertise.

Project features include:

  • One living retaining wall planted with lush greenery to blend strength and restoration.
  • One stone retaining wall that anchors the space and defines the garden’s flow.
  • Custom privacy screens to create a quiet, reflective atmosphere.
  • Subtle landscape lighting to transform the space after dark.
  • A stone and gravel foundation for durability and easy maintenance.
  • A paver centerpiece, plant material, and mulch bringing the space to life.

But the story doesn’t end there. The men at No Longer Bound are continuing to enhance the garden with benches and a water feature—part of a legacy project led by one resident honoring his father, who recently passed away. It’s a powerful reminder of what this space represents: hope, reflection, and healing.

The Prayer Garden now serves as both an outdoor classroom and a sanctuary for residents and families—a lasting symbol of restoration built by community, for community.

Take It Outside
Get Outside. Get Involved. Give Back.

Objectives

The goal of the 2025 Take It Outside project at No Longer Bound was to create a restorative outdoor environment that supports mental wellness, reflection, and connection for men in recovery.

Our objectives included:

  • Create a Healing Space: Design and build a functional, peaceful Prayer Garden that fosters reflection, hope, and community connection.
  • Empower Recovery: Provide No Longer Bound residents with a therapeutic environment that reduces anxiety and supports their recovery journey.
  • Strengthen Partnerships: Unite professionals from across the outdoor services industry to collaborate on a shared cause, reinforcing Take It Outside’s mission of service through action.
  • Demonstrate Sustainable Design: Incorporate natural, low-maintenance materials—like a living retaining wall and native plantings—to model environmentally responsible landscaping.

Achievements

This project became a milestone for Take It Outside—our largest and most collaborative build to date, completed over three workdays with the help of more than 60 volunteers and multiple industry partners.

Key outcomes:

  • Successfully constructed two retaining walls — one living wall and one stone — symbolizing growth and strength.
  • Installed custom privacy screens, lighting, and a gravel foundation to enhance both function and atmosphere.
  • Added a paver centerpiece and lush plant material to create a calming focal point for gatherings and reflection.
  • Partnered with local suppliers and volunteers who donated materials, labor, and equipment, reducing project costs by over 70%.
  • Inspired a resident-led legacy project, expanding the garden with benches and a water feature in remembrance of a loved one—extending the impact of the space beyond construction.

This garden now serves as a place of peace and transformation—a tangible representation of what happens when people come together to serve others through shared purpose and outdoor work.

  • Corporate Participation
  • The success of the 2025 Prayer Garden Project at No Longer Bound was made possible through the unwavering support of our corporate partners and sponsors—companies who believe in using their skills, time, and resources to serve something greater.
  • From earth-moving crews and design teams to suppliers and financial sponsors, this project brought together leaders from across the outdoor services industry with one shared goal: to build a space that restores hope and strengthens community.
  • Our partners didn’t just donate materials or funds—they showed up, worked alongside us, and helped make this vision a reality. Their involvement demonstrates what’s possible when businesses align their expertise with purpose.
  • Corporate Partners contributed through:
  • Labor and expertise — on-site crews volunteering time and skill to construct key elements of the project.
  • Material donations — retaining wall systems, lighting, pavers, and plant material provided by industry suppliers.
  • Financial support — sponsors funding essential materials and logistics to keep the project on schedule.
  • Collaboration and mentorship — professionals from multiple companies working together, sharing trade knowledge and fostering a spirit of unity and service.
  • We’re proud to partner with organizations that see value beyond business—leaders who understand that real impact happens when people come together to build something lasting.
  • If your company is interested in getting involved with a future project, reach out to learn how your team can help shape our next build.

Significance

The Prayer Garden at No Longer Bound represents more than a physical transformation — it stands as a symbol of hope, healing, and collaboration.

For the residents of No Longer Bound, this garden is a daily reminder that recovery and renewal can take root in the right environment. It offers a space for reflection, prayer, and peace — a rare gift for those walking through the challenges of addiction recovery.

For Take It Outside, this project embodies everything the organization stands for: community-driven action, service through skilled craftsmanship, and the power of connection that comes from working shoulder to shoulder toward something meaningful.

Beyond the physical build, the project strengthened relationships among volunteers, sponsors, and trade professionals across the outdoor services industry — proving that when people combine their talents with purpose, real change happens.

This garden will continue to grow as No Longer Bound adds new features and personal touches, each layer adding to its story. Its lasting impact lies not only in the beauty of the space but in the lives it touches — a true testament to the mission of Take It Outside.

GALLERY