Kriti Sood
Other than being a shortcut from the Life Science Building to the Mathematics Building, the Botanical Garden on campus is a nice place to bask in the sun and broaden one’s knowledge of native plants.
Phase One of the Botanical Garden opened in October 2003 and since December 2003, it has been a long wait for the Botanical Garden’s Phase Two. Experiencing many obstacles, the construction of the second portion has been continuously delayed.
In October 2005, the requirements set by the Division of the State Architect (DSA) were the reasons for the holdup. The plan had to meet DSA’s requirement of making the site accessible to the disabled individuals.
“They [DSA] have been setting a variety of criteria which slowed us down in terms of getting started with the construction,” said Professor James E. Rikel, chair of the life science department.
Fortunately, the requirement for making the site accessible to disabled individuals was recently approved. However, it wasn’t yet time for Phase Two to start. DSA brought out more criteria to be fulfilled.
A “current code to bathrooms that are ADA [American with Disabilities Act] compliant” is one criterion.
“The college wanted to use the bathroom in bookstore which is to code. So they are finishing that process,” said Rikel. “The College Services Building is the most recent building so that its bathrooms are to the very latest code. Therefore, to comply with DSA’s requirement our plans cite that building.”
Furthermore, the drinking fountains also need to meet current code standards.
Pat Farris and Kate Kubach, biology professors, are working with Rikel on the Mediterranean garden project. The trio maintains the garden.
“I do most of the harder labor,” said Rikel “and they take care of planting, weeding.”
“The Foundation for Pierce College handles the money and works with us,” said James Rikel.
Mark Pracher, grants coordinator for the college, put together a $5,000 grant for the project.
Hoping to get final approval from DSA, Farris, Kubach and Rikel are all set to go out to bid and start the construction in summer.
The one-acre area for the Phase Two of the Mediterranean garden will consist of an information kiosk and a natural stone amphitheater. It will also include 70 species of Australian native plants. Farris takes care of the list of the plants that are going to be planted in the garden.
“Jo O’Connell is an Australian plant grower who is specially growing plants for us,” said Farris.
Emu bush, Flame Pea, Wax flowers, Kangaroo Paws, Woolly bush and Chinchilla Wattle are among many plants that will grace the garden.
In addition, a 24-zone drip system will remain intact and will continue to reduce the water use on campus. Unlike sprinklers, water will only go to the individual plants.
“People don’t even realize that the plants are being watered,” said Rikel.
Paid student workers are preferred to work on the garden as they prove to be a “reliable workforce” according to Rikel.
The hiring process is still continuing. However, it hasn’t been a good response since only one student has applied and been hired.
Donations are being still accepted and can be made to the Foundation for Pierce College.
Now when it has been more than two years revolving around DSA’s criteria, everyone is anticipating for Phase Two to begin soon.
“It is really frustrating,” said Farris. “Everything has been done on our end. They [DSA] just keep on finding new things.”
The Mediterranean garden is a project whose “higher purpose is to demonstrate how you can do landscape that’s beautiful and use small amount of water,” said Rikel.
This project tries to awaken “appreciation for plants in this area and similar ones that tolerate low amounts of water. In our classes, we use this material for teaching purposes. It is a nice place for people to be here between classes.”
“It has been a great project and most people like it a lot,” continued Rikel. “When we first got started people had doubts, but now nobody doubts.”