The Gardens flourish
Rachel Carlson
Issue date: 4/28/09 Section: News
Renovations and additions are happening all over the SIUE campus, and The Gardens are following suit with long- and short-term projects aimed at bringing students and community members into nature.
New construction has just begun in the area north of Turtle Pond past the arched bridge, according to The Gardens' Director Doug Conley. The $250,000 plan calls for an Asian-inspired gazebo that will connect to the end of the arched bridge. Conley said the options of design for the gazebo, or The Lantern, were researched and presented by construction management students for their senior capstone project.
The Lantern was designed as a destination for the end of the arched bridge and as a plaza and amphitheater for people to sit in.
"The Lantern will be an event space for up to 75 people," Conley said.
Another feature Conley hopes to begin construction on in the next three to five years is a multi-million dollar project called the Scholar's Walk. The Scholar's Walk will be a 300-foot long garden composed of a series of garden rooms highlighting a student's academic journey. The rooms metaphorically display student experiences like new friendships, graduation and a new career.
"It's a really dynamic horticultural display," Conley said. "We try to tie back as much to the student experience as we can."
Sophomore biology major Justin Dunkierk from Taylorville has been working as a student gardener in The Gardens since February 2008. Dunkierk said he is excited for new additions like the Scholar's Walk.
"I like the way it'll greet people," Dunkierk said. "It somehow shows how SIUE is. It's not a straight path. It's more nature-oriented, not cut and straight."
According to Conley, The Gardens began as the Myer Arboretum, which was named after the former Dean of College of Arts and Sciences, Donal Myer, who proposed the idea for a campus arboretum. The Myer Arboretum was placed in the area north of the Cougar Lake parking lot in 1990.
New construction has just begun in the area north of Turtle Pond past the arched bridge, according to The Gardens' Director Doug Conley. The $250,000 plan calls for an Asian-inspired gazebo that will connect to the end of the arched bridge. Conley said the options of design for the gazebo, or The Lantern, were researched and presented by construction management students for their senior capstone project.
The Lantern was designed as a destination for the end of the arched bridge and as a plaza and amphitheater for people to sit in.
"The Lantern will be an event space for up to 75 people," Conley said.
Another feature Conley hopes to begin construction on in the next three to five years is a multi-million dollar project called the Scholar's Walk. The Scholar's Walk will be a 300-foot long garden composed of a series of garden rooms highlighting a student's academic journey. The rooms metaphorically display student experiences like new friendships, graduation and a new career.
"It's a really dynamic horticultural display," Conley said. "We try to tie back as much to the student experience as we can."
Sophomore biology major Justin Dunkierk from Taylorville has been working as a student gardener in The Gardens since February 2008. Dunkierk said he is excited for new additions like the Scholar's Walk.
"I like the way it'll greet people," Dunkierk said. "It somehow shows how SIUE is. It's not a straight path. It's more nature-oriented, not cut and straight."
According to Conley, The Gardens began as the Myer Arboretum, which was named after the former Dean of College of Arts and Sciences, Donal Myer, who proposed the idea for a campus arboretum. The Myer Arboretum was placed in the area north of the Cougar Lake parking lot in 1990.
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