The Gardens on Spring Creek

By Chelsea McLean, Horticulturist One of the best parts of working at a cultural institution like The Gardens on Spring Creek is working with volunteers, students, and civic groups who step up to join our Centre Ave adventure. When local Eagle Scout Walker Armstrong came to us last year with a proposal to build a water feature for the Children’s Garden, it was a no-brainer. Walker Armstrong Walker grew up visiting The Gardens with his family and felt compelled to give back after years of enjoyment. During his visits he noticed that the existing pond and waterfall operate in a closed loop, the result being dark, cloudy water with low oxygen levels as vegetative matter decomposes and the sediment cycles through the system. I can attest to the work that goes into keeping the system functioning soundly. He found a solution in biomimicry, the concept of taking design cues from the natural world. “I am hoping to achieve a healthy ecosystem, along with revitalized aesthetics,” Walker explains...