The Scholar's Walk
The Scholar's Walk is a lively reinterpretation of the traditional university walled garden with a series of sub gardens designed for exploration. A series of sinuous landforms – the form relates to the iconic remnant landforms at the campus core (the Stratton Quadrangle).
Spaces within the Scholar's Walk are complex, views are multidirectional, creating a layered experience which allows visitors something new to discover.
There are five garden rooms within the Scholars Walk:
- The Garden of Beginning – A burst of sunshine and floral color greets the visitor at the entry to the garden creating a vibrant display that recalls the excitement of beginning the college years.
- The Garden of Friendship – Lush shrubbery, a bosque of ornamental trees, and a grouping of canopy trees create a sense of intimacy in the Garden of Friendship and evoke the restorative power of friendship.
- The Teacher's Garden – Bright planting beds and sparkling water create an ebullient mood in this niche garden, which celebrates and honors the role the teacher plays in the university experience.
- The Class Memorial Garden – Rolling beds create a swell of earth and grassy foliage while trees create patches of moving light and shadow. This garden is an opportunity to honor alumni contributions.
- The Garden of Passage – The landforms become more dynamic; naturalistic planting call to mind the surrounding natural grassy slopes and canopy forests characteristic of the beautiful SIUE campus. A fountain cascades into a basin and light sparkles off the water, celebrating the rite of passage - the next phase of life.
