The space you see here is part of James Madison University’s Edith J. Carrier Arboretum. The Arboretum was developed in large part to be an area for botanical and environmental research, but through the years it has evolved into so much more than that for so many students. The arboretum is an almost entirely public space, with some reservations. The first of these is that it is only open from dawn until dusk every day. While it is open 365 days a year, at night it is closed off to the public by a large gate. That’s not to say that JMU students haven’t found their way into the arboretum after hours, but for them to do so would be considered trespassing. Despite the restrictions on its use, though, the arboretum is an important place to a great number of people. Not only is it important to researchers, but all JMU students, local families, elementary schools, and youth organizations. It has surpassed the realm of education that it was originally intended for and become a place where people from all walks of life can come to relax, do schoolwork, or simply enjoy its beauty. It is the symbol of peace of mind for many students, and it has had a great impact on many people.
The arboretum is also used by students as a shortcut between east campus and the Stone Gate and Sunchase apartment complexes. When the weather is nice runners jog along its paths and nature lovers come to enjoy its beauty. What moves me about this image is that nothing in it suggests the influence of human design. While the arboretum is owned and maintained by JMU, the principle goal is to keep the area pristine, as though it was entirely free of human interaction.
ReplyDelete-TJ Kirk (Connerly)
The Arboretum and its location is almost contradictory of its meaning. Its a place that celebrates nature and beauty yet it is located across a fairly busy street, which is personally the last place where I would think it would be located. As you sit on the bench enjoying the weather, admiring the scenery you can still hear the honks and cars whizzing by you. I think its values are admirable and its features are beautiful, like this creek, but it does not reflect the idea of nature due to its location.
ReplyDelete-Casey Burruss
The arboretum to me seems to be designed like the ideal central gathering location or 'agora' as described in Mattson's writing. However, its location at the extreme East edge of campus results in it being very rarely visited by students. Had it been placed somewhere within the middle of the campus it would have undoubtedly become a hotspot for students looking for a place to relax.
ReplyDelete--Peter Amaral
Although I have never been over to the arboretum myself, I drive by it often, and find it to be a very beautiful space. I have been meaning to get over there to take a walk around, but have yet to do so. Now that I saw this post, and got a gist of what the arboretum is all about, I think I will actually make a trip over there. The picture was what attracted me to this post, because It reminded me of a river back where I live, where my friends and I would go fly fishing and catch trout after school during my highschool years.
ReplyDeleteThe arboretum is a space that anyone can use for any reason. The way that it is set up makes you feel comfortable while you are there, even if you are tresspassing. The area is very open which makes one feel as if they are free to roam this vast area. Furthermore the picture shows the freedom that one can express while they visit the arboretum. The water is flowing free over the rocks just as we can freely mingle anywhere we want in the arboretum.
ReplyDelete--Mason Green's comment #1 for Dr. H
The arboretum is a good choice for this assignment. Kevin pointed out but could have gone further with his analysis of public and private space. He says it is almost entirely public, but the fact that it has gates and hours that are off limits make it clearly a private space. I'm reminded of numerous sources we've read about pseudo public spaces, namely malls. In a similar way we experience the arboretum on the owner's (JMU's) terms.
ReplyDelete-Anne Marie Paquette (Dr. H)
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ReplyDeleteHaving been at this school for four years now I have often wondered about the idea of public and private space in the arboretum. I remember one time going in during dusk and trying to leave as it was getting darker only to be hassled by a campus cop. As a student I felt insulted because this was supposed to be a place of relaxation for students without time limit. It reminded me of what we read in class about the malls in America where people are asked to leave for peacefully protesting. The arboretum is in that gray area of private and public, when it should be entirely public. That means even at night.
ReplyDeleteTodd Hunt (Dr. H)