The Pergola Project was led by artists Natalie Perkins and Yaritza Guillen, who conducted an intergenerational design process in partnership with students at O’Keefe Elementary, Lost Boyz Sports, garden leadership, South Shore residents, and members of the nonprofit NeighborSpace.The South Merrill Community Garden was founded more than ten years ago by O’Keefe Elementary students and their teacher, Ms. Kinney. The Pergola Project builds upon the garden’s history as a community-designed and constructed space, continuing to support it as a welcoming and comfortable environment by providing essential shade and shelter for the young children, families, and seniors who regularly visit and participate in garden activities.