LETTER: A call to action for old garden
To the editor:
As part of the annual LAEP Week activities, students in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning will be undertaking a service project on Wednesday, April 10,to kick-off of the restoration of the USU Passive Recreation Garden, or as we more commonly refer to it, Laval’s Garden.
Laval’s Garden is located in the small valley below the Living Learning Center and the LDS Institute, where 600 North dead-ends, north of the west parking terrace. The garden was originally created by the founder of LAEP, Laval Morris, and some LAEP students, between 1959-1961. The design featured pathways on three terraced levels, connected by red sandstone stairs. A water feature tumbled from an upper source to a lower pool, dropping over a 10-12 foot rock cascade. The area was planted with largely native plants, and served as an important learning lab for LAEP students for many years, as well as a popular student gathering space.
Today, the garden is sadly neglected and overgrown by invasive Siberian elm and other weed shrubs and trees. The many students who use the pathway and stairs up the hill on their way to classes from apartments below are aware of the “romantic ruins” buried in the brush, but know nothing of its former beauty and history. Construction of the Living Learning Center some five to six years ago severed the remaining water system, starving the site of any remaining irrigation. Hopefully, all of that is about to change.
As part of the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of LAEP in the fall of 2014, we hope to be able to welcome our alumni back to at least a partially restored semblance of Laval’s Garden. USU Landscape Operations and Maintenance has agreed to participate in the project, through the restoration of water and irrigation to the area, repair of the water feature, and a phased planting process. Our role is to help get the ball rolling by assisting with the clearing and grubbing of the lower garden area (phase one).
Michael Timmons