3 - Japanese Garden and SKYLANDING Unification
The pathways in the current Japanese garden are easy to navigate, although the stone edging requires softening for a more natural feeling.
The gravel path with stone edging is easy to navigate and the sound of the gravel under foot is a nice addition to the experience. The stone edging though in places is too prominent a feature of the scene.
Where plant material has grown to soften and/ or obscure the edge it is much better. Adding more plant material (ground covers) will help this problem.
Blocking long views of the path, especially the straight sections, is also a goal as the plantings are reworked in the future. This keeps the eye from following the path and not fully experiencing the potential scenery. Revealing a distant portion of the path is desirable as it gives the guest a feeling of anticipation of the journey.
A final consideration is to change the gravel color to gray. Gray is more in line with the stone color and would not have the strong contrast that the existing gravel has.
Flow:
As the Japanese Garden is currently designed, it is not necessary to create a preferred route through the garden as the essentially circular nature of the path allows the guest to have a pleasing and similar experience regardless of direction of travel.
WIth the anticipated increase in visitation, designated routes is highly recommended. On weekends and special events, docents may be needed to direct and maintain the flow of people in the garden.
One of the highest priorities is to construct a high quality perimeter fence. This will provide needed enclosure for the Japanese garden, increase security and unify the Japanese garden and SKYLANDING into an integrated space with a pleasing backdrop.
The new fence would provide for a service entrance at the south end, penetrations into the water of the East Lagoon at the north and south ends of the garden to deter access by walking around the fence. New plantings outside of the fence of trees and clipped foliage would not only soften the long line of the fence.
Below images suggest a modern approach with non-traditional materials. Options also include varied walls and fencing - traditinal and non-traditional.
