A Natural Garden For Mt. Zion United Methodist Church

The intent of the proposed design is to create a peaceful, relaxing garden with a natural look and feel to it. Several aspects of the existing site influence the proposed layout. In an effort to enhance the experience of the garden, a series of distinct spaces, focal points, plants with biblical reference, and even aromatherapy are used. Sustainability had a major authority in the proposed design of the site as well.

Aesthetically, the existing site is rather unappealing, but it does have some characteristics that facilitate the design of a more natural, informal garden. The wooded corner of the existing site consists of a mix of large deciduous trees (white poplars, etc.) and evergreens (hollies, white pines, etc.). There is excellent potential for a wooded walk through this area. On the opposite side of the existing site is a fenced in baseball field that is virtually unused by the church. This area is already cleared (with exception of the chain link fence) and will require very little work to create the proposed recreation/lawn area.

In the proposed garden, there are three different and distinct spaces. Each of these areas can be accessed individually from the general area of the buildings, or they can be traveled through by means of a fluid path that connects all three. The first of the spaces is the wooded walk. This space is within the existing mix of deciduous and evergreen trees. A number of colorful flowering trees such as tulip trees, Carolina silverbells, and serviceberries were selected to create interesting displays of color during different times of the year. Benches are provided along the wooded walk for people, to sit and reflect, observe nature, or even enjoy lunch. Next is the memorial space. This space includes a memorial wall, which is two and a half to three feet tall and will display the names of selected congregation members. Benches for reflection and meditation will be installed in the memorial space as well. The memorial space may also be considered as a site to be used for scattering ashes. In place of the abandoned ball field will now be an open grass lawn bordered by Norway spruces, cedars, etc. This screen of trees will hide the unpleasant view of the neighborhood behind the property while at the same time unifying the lawn area with the rest of the garden and giving it a sense of place.

Use of focal points play a key role in the proposed design. The strongest use of focal points is in the memorial space of the garden. Of the two focal points in this space, the first is the wall that displays the names of selected members of the church. Just above the wall is the second focal point-a framed view of rolling hills in the distance. This view is framed between tall evergreen plant materials. Both of these focal points give the memorial space a sense of purpose and allow patrons to really experience the space.

A selection of aromatic plants referred to in the Bible has been proposed to give the garden a therapeutic quality. Sage, rosemary, crocus, and bee balm are all included in the proposed garden. Mixed beds of these plants would surround the benches throughout the garden in order to bring people as close as possible to the fragrance from the plants. The pleasant aromas of these plants have the ability to refresh and relax a person.

The proposed design does nothing but improve the sustainability of the site. A minimal amount of plant life needs to be removed from the existing woods, so the vast majority of the wildlife habitat will remain untouched. New plant materials, such as hollies provide fruit for birds and other animals to eat. More potential nesting trees will be introduced in the tree screen along the lawn. Drainage on the site will be nearly unaffected as well. There are no proposed drastic changes in the grading of the site, so runoff will still follow the same path. The paths through the garden are all unpaved "cowpaths" that are naturally worn in by foot traffic. These paths will remain permeable to water so as to leave runoff unchanged. An important goal of the proposed design was to improve on the sustainability of the site, and it is successful in several aspects.

Creating a natural garden and improving sustainability of the site presented a number of issues to be dealt with. With the layout of distinct spaces and focal points, the inclusion of biblical plants with aromatherapeutic qualities, and a top priority given to improvement upon sustainability, a garden that can be enjoyed by both man and nature for generations to come is created.