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Newly Constructed Water Garden Popular On
Campus
The campus of Northeast Alabama Community College is lined with
courtyards, flower gardens, sidewalk tables and benches. The
beautifully landscaped and kept grounds are the work of the
dedicated Maintenance Staff at Northeast. Recently, the staff
added a magnificent water garden located behind the Student
Center on the grounds adjacent to the Cecil B. Word Learning
Resources Center.
“We strive to create a campus appearance and environment that
students and the community can enjoy,” stated Dr. David
Campbell, President of Northeast. “This garden fits perfectly
into our plan and is an excellent addition to what we are doing
with our campus. Our Maintenance Staff is to be commended for
their work, creativity, and taking the initiative on this
project.”
Kent Jones, Buildings and Grounds Plant Supervisor, initiated
the project and once a site was chosen, work began. The water
garden took approximately three months to construct, with work
being done as time and weather permitted. Assisting him with the
construction were Willie Thompson, Assistant Physical Plant
Coordinator, and maintenance employees Carol Cagle, Travis
Farmer, Sherry Norris, Bryan Roe, and John Smith.
“I really enjoyed designing the garden. I wanted to do something
new that had not been done on campus,” said Jones. “I had always
wanted to construct a water garden and now we have been able to
build one on campus for everyone to enjoy.” Jones stated that it
was hoped that it would bring more people to campus. “We have
noticed that, especially on Friday afternoons, we are getting
visitors to campus driving by to see the water garden.”
With the exception of purchased retainer type stones, most of
the rocks used in the project were native to the area, obtained
near the walking/nature trail on campus. Dirt which had been
excavated during the building of the new Health
Education/Workforce Development building was used to build up
the mound so that the water falls could be created. The garden
features a large water fall and water plants.
The water garden has become a favorite place on campus. Water
gardens have become more popular in recent years. They date back
to ancient Chinese and European times and cultures.
Northeast maintenance staff members (front,
L-R) John Smith, Bryan Roe, Sherry Norris, Carol Cagle, Willie
Thompson, and Travis Farmer are shown with (back, L-R) Dr. David
Campbell, NACC President; Larry Guffey, Dean of Administrative
Services; Kent Jones, Buildings and Grounds Plant Supervisor;
and Dr. Joe Burke, Vice President /Dean of Instruction.
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