Japanese Garden
From CarlWiki
The Japanese Garden, sometimes known simply as The Garden or by its Japanese name Jo Ryo En (Garden of Quiet Listening), is a small, well-manicured garden and hut located behind Watson Hall. It serves as a favorite place for people living on the East Side of campus to "enjoy nature," especially now that the Hill of Three Oaks is intruded upon by the Rec Center.
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Design
The Japanese Garden was designed by architect David Slawson and created in 1974. It consists of several short plants surrounded by white rocks, and a three-sided, yellow shed which includes a bench for restful contemplation. Past the garden is an open lawn, which is bordered by white cedar trees, Watson Hall and Cowling Recreation Center.
Recognition
The Journal of Japanese Gardening has twice recognized Carleton's Japanese Garden as one of the top ten such gardens in the country.[1]
Conflict with new dorm
Maple Street Apartments, a proposed new student residence, was to be located directly south of the Japanese Garden. While the original plans called for nearly all of the cedar trees between the new residence hall and the garden to be removed, revised plans (adopted after discussion with Slawson and others) preserved most of the trees and lowered the profile of the dorm to minimize the impact on the garden.[2] The Maple Street plan was later canceled, however, due in part to neighborhood opposition.
Trivia
- The Japanese Garden was prominently featured in the film Gatørr: The Fighting Rabbit that was produced in and around Carleton during the summer of 1995 by Mark Heiman '92 and Mec Scharding '94.
- Students at Northfield High School often use the Japanese Garden for prom pictures.
References
- ↑ Carson, Rebecca '82. Carleton News and Notes. Item 3:155 of the Alumni Chat conference on Caucus (NetID required), as quoted by Jennifer Wightman '97. June 7, 2006.
- ↑ Rogers, Fred '72. Carleton News and Notes. Item 3:170 of the Alumni Chat conference, as quoted by Kisha Delain '96. June 12, 2006.
