Introduction
The Soothing Gardens on
Campus
Different
climates affect where and how a plant, flower, or tree will grow and living in
a place that is practically summer yearlong is not something to take lightly.
Because the weather is always scorching hot, the plants in Arizona need a lot
of water and maintenance with the help of people that care. Usually in desert
like areas, the plants are not full of colors or full of beauty. The plants in
the desert are made to “survive” the heat and being able to go to a change of
scenery anywhere is a gift and something that shouldn’t be taken for granted.
The native plants to Arizona can go without water for a long time and that
allows for animals from this climate to have a home. But because there are so
many people that care about plant, trees, and flowers, there are a lot more
plants here that wouldn’t be able to survive in this weather. With the help of
others, now people are able to see colorful flowers and tall trees that are not
native to Arizona, but are here because of the maintenance. And I am not trying
to discredit the native plants here either because they have their own
beauty…once you look past the spikes and dryness of the plants. On the Tempe
Arizona State University campus, it is hard trying to find a perfect place that
allows you to feel relaxed and be in tune with nature. If that is what you are
into. In this blog I will be describing certain places on campus that would
allow people to feel at ease and feel serenity. Or a better description would
be that I am pointing out the gardens on campus that provide shade, a nice
view, and provide a great working environment. This blog has to do with the soothing
feeling people get out of going to a garden and being in a garden. “Soothing
gardens touch the soul, lift the spirits, and stimulate senses. They are for
adults, children, the elderly, the physically challenged, everyone,” (Witalis)
Many
people commute to ASU or live on campus, whether they are students and faculty
or just friends and family coming for a visit. They are going to want to see
the campus and be in a place that feels comfortable and is stunning to look at.
Taking them to one of the gardens will make them feel at peace and comfortable
with their surroundings. People like the feeling of not having to worry and
like just sitting in a place of beauty. Going to a garden will help people feel
at ease and some say that it will even take away any negative energy from you
and lift your spirits. “Gardens that soothe include therapeutic gardens because
they also touch the soul and stimulate senses. Therapeutic gardens use plant
material and gardening to enhance the health and quality of life for certain
individuals. Such gardens lift the spirits while improving a person's mind,
body, and spirit,” (Witalis)
Not
only are the gardens therapeutic, but they also allow for people to get work
done or just hang out with friends. I notice that people like to come to these
gardens because the fresh air and the nice view allows for the mind to think a
lot more clearly and will enable you to work or study a lot more because there
are less distractions. The added benefit to most of the gardens is that they
provide shade from the sun. And living in Arizona, people will agree that shade
is God’s blessing. Going to one of the many gardens on campus will allow for
people to do these things and many other activities as well. Some people will
play hacky sack or just throw a ball back and forth. And some will just lay
there on the grass and look up at the drifting clouds that constantly, but
slowly change form. Although it is hot in Arizona and most of the plants are
not the most gorgeous and attractive plants to look at, the gardens on campus
allow for people to see a variety of plants and flowers that people would normally
not see. It also allows for people to have a place to study, eat, or just hang
out with friends. The four places with the "best and soothing"
gardens on the ASU campus are the Computing Commons, Student Services Building,
Dixie Gammage Hall, and Coor Building.
Annotation
1
Computing
Commons
The
Computing Commons is a place for students to go and use the technology that the
Arizona State University provides. The computers are there for people to do
homework and/or just use them for entertainment purposes. But what a lot of
people do not know is that what is on the outside is what matters a lot more.
For people that live in the desert, it is a common theme for there to be an
abundance of cacti scattered all around, and in front and on the side of the
Computing Commons building there are over twenty barrel cacti and some old man
cactus. To many people they would just walk on by, ignoring their beauty. These
cacti are a part of the Arizona plant life and if people actually took the time
to look at the beauty of the nature around them they would be filled with a
great sensation that would calm the mind and soul. People that are attune to
nature would sit there looking at a plant and just feel like they are one or at
the very least feel some form of a connection with it. Even if a plant is not
the most pleasing to look at or is harmful if it is touched, people should be
able to appreciate natural balance of it. One interesting fact about the cacti
in front of the Computing Commons is that it is in the shape of a mother board.
Now to people that know little to nothing about computers wouldn't know the ins
and outs of a computer. But for those special people that know about computers
and what make them work would be able to spot that these cacti are in the shape
of a mother board.
Annotation
2
Student
Services Building
People
go to the Student Services Building to get help about many things that pertain
to school. It is a big building and has a lot of wide, large, and open windows
for people to see the plants and trees that surround the building. This
building allows people to enjoy it through two different: inside on very comfy
couches or benches and tables outside. Depending on the day it can go either
way. Going inside and looking through the windows or just sitting outside and
smelling the aroma that the plants exude from themselves. There are different
kinds of trees that are as tall or close to the size of the building and they
also have bushes that go alongside the side walk to the building. Not only are
these plants here but there are also herb gardens that are maintained by
students and faculty. Not only is it beautiful to look at, but the fact that
these very green plants are here show that a lot of people put in a lot of hard
work to keep it the way it is. Most of the plants on campus are not native to
Arizona, but since there are people willing to work for beauty, other people
are no able to enjoy it as well. On campus there really isn't much shade.
People either have to go inside of a building or go to one of these gardens to
get shade. And in my opinion I would rather be outside and be closer to the
soothing plants and creatures that reside in the vegetation here. Birds and
other little critters like to stay here because it provides them with open land
for them to roam and because of all the maintenance the plants get, the animals
feel more comfortable coming near people and that is something that is calming
to think that they trust people enough to come near us.
Annotation
3
Coor
Building
This
is a building of glass and symbols. At first glance, the Coor Building would
look special on its own because of the architecture. It has a blue hint to each
window and that makes it stand out from the rest of the building surrounding
it. But what people don't know is that there are mini gardens within the
building complex. Go down the stairs and the first sight you see are a few
cacti and bushes, but the real neat and perfect place to sit and relax are
further inside. There are a few places in this building where there are bamboo
trees imbedded in the walls. I find this to be fascinating and it is a nice and
shady place for a person to wait for their next class or for people to just sit
by a bamboo tree. Normally in Arizona people wouldn't see this plant growing
here, but because it is place within the building, it is blocked from the sun
that could harm it and is able to grow and thrive. I find it very interesting
that certain plants need different climates to grow and this is just of one of
the many wonders of the world. Okay not so much wonder, but awe. I like coming
down here when it is rainy because it creates a perfect atmosphere for the
plants and puts me in a good mood. I’m glad there are so many gardens here to
choose from, so that I am able to enjoy them all in different weather and
different days.
Annotation 4
Dixie
Gammage Hall
I
first came across this hidden garden one summer day when I was visiting the
campus. I had never seen a building built around a garden. I just happen to
stumble into this garden because I was curious as to why people kept coming in
and out of the downhill slope that led to an underground tunnel. The moment I
emerged from the short tunnel I was hit with a beauty that I would have never
found if my curiosity hadn't won the best of me. There are many plants, trees,
and flowers in this secret garden. There are a few tables and benches for
people to sit. People can also just sit on the grass and bask in the sun while
doing work. There are few features in this garden that I find fascinating. On
one side of the garden there is a large dark blue vase that seems so out of
place but at the same time compliments the rest of the garden. Another feature
to this garden is that there is a fireplace. Normally, in Arizona it is just
for decoration because it is always hot here, but the fact that there is one
here makes this garden feel a lot cozier to just sit back and relax. The
fireplace is on the far wall that has white steps leading to the fireplace.
These steps also allow for people to sit and go about their business. There are
also window that surround the garden, so I can only imagine what it looks like
for the people that work beside these windows. Sometimes I like to come here
just to sit and relax. If you like nature, shade, and the feeling of serenity,
then this is the place to come.
