The Oregon Garden, A-Mazing Water Garden
Silverton, Oregon
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The Oregon Garden is a botanical garden that showcases a rich diversity of ornamental and native plants in colorful formal gardens, natural landscape settings, water gardens, and acres of forest and native oak groves. Mayer/Reed was part of the initial master planning of the 240-acre garden. The firm then designed the 5.5-acre A-Mazing Water Garden that consists of a series of gravity-fed terraces and interrelated pools that “polish” wastewater from the City of Silverton. Treated water is then re-used for irrigation of 42 acres of developed gardens.
In the upper reaches of the treatment ponds, visitors are focused on wildlife habitat. Pathways are limited so that diverse species of birds, insects and small mammals can inhabit the native riparian vegetation zone and upland thickets. An accessible viewing mound is set up as an overlook. The lowest pool located at the entry gates of the Oregon Garden is a key visitor attraction of the Oregon Garden with a vegetated water wall and a “maze” of pathways. This part of the garden features water lilies, iris, lotus and other interesting aquatic plants. The pedestrian bridge gives visitors a place to feel immersed in the garden and enjoy works of art.
Owner: The Oregon Garden
Photographer: Bruce Forster
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The Oregon Garden is a botanical garden that showcases a rich diversity of ornamental and native plants in colorful formal gardens, natural landscape settings, water gardens, and acres of forest and native oak groves. Mayer/Reed was part of the initial master planning of the 240-acre garden. The firm then designed the 5.5-acre A-Mazing Water Garden that consists of a series of gravity-fed terraces and interrelated pools that “polish” wastewater from the City of Silverton. Treated water is then re-used for irrigation of 42 acres of developed gardens.
In the upper reaches of the treatment ponds, visitors are focused on wildlife habitat. Pathways are limited so that diverse species of birds, insects and small mammals can inhabit the native riparian vegetation zone and upland thickets. An accessible viewing mound is set up as an overlook. The lowest pool located at the entry gates of the Oregon Garden is a key visitor attraction of the Oregon Garden with a vegetated water wall and a “maze” of pathways. This part of the garden features water lilies, iris, lotus and other interesting aquatic plants. The pedestrian bridge gives visitors a place to feel immersed in the garden and enjoy works of art.
Owner
The Oregon Garden, A-Mazing Water Garden
Silverton, Oregon
Sustainable Features
- Constructed wetlands
- Native plants & wildlife habitat
- Stormwater treatment & bioswales
- Wastewater treatment
- Wildlife habitat
- Water re-use
Awards
- American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter Honor Award, 2002
