Cleveland Botanical Garden

David Kamp (Founding Principal, Dirtworks, PC)

walkway between raised beds The brief for this project was to renovate and expand a treasured Library Reading Garden into an exemplary setting expressing the restorative powers of nature.

The setting was divided into three distinct areas. The first provides quiet respite from a busy terrace nearby and offers an elegant setting viewed from the library. A central reflecting pool highlights a magnificent magnolia. Stone walkways lead around a refined lawn panel to private seating areas, an overlook. A second pool with a cascading basin provides a gentle sound buffer to nearby activities. A curved walkway leads past the second setting, a demonstration garden featuring a horticulture therapy program with raised beds, display areas and a spacious vine covered trellis for group activities. Finally, the walk culminates at a dramatic demonstration wall composed of carefully selected native stone.

Naturalistic in character, varying in height and fully accessible, the wall incorporates interesting plants, water and hardscape items for touching, smelling or hearing. Dirtworks worked closely with the staff of the Botanical Gardens, including Horticultural Therapist, Patricia Owen, HTR, to insure the garden creates a welcoming and accommodating environment that will comfort, uplift, inspire and engage all those who visit.