Analysis :
1/2 acre of lawn skirts a typical ranch house set
against the only wooded patch in the area.
Sprawling commercial development has voraciously
rooting itself a stone's throw away to the south and
west. An unclear line separates unmanaged industry
complexes and this residential community.
Surface runoff from the neighborhood works its way
across this yard and navigates through the north side
of the basement wall occasionally flooding the
home. The drainage problem makes itself evident
annually, and has become a serious concern.
Implied by the local feeding birds, raccoon family,
and other random evidence of wildlife is a modest
sanctuary amidst adverse environmental conditions.
30 species of songbirds have been cataloged by
homeowner Gail Riley, who is both a veteran school
teacher and an amateur ornithologist.
A walking survey of the nearby woods leads us to
select a plate of local vegetation to include river
birch, lily of the valley, blueberry, bayberry,
winterberry, summersweet, and cranberry viburnum.
1/2 acre of lawn skirts a typical ranch house set
against the only wooded patch in the area.
Sprawling commercial development has voraciously
rooting itself a stone's throw away to the south and
west. An unclear line separates unmanaged industry
complexes and this residential community.
Surface runoff from the neighborhood works its way
across this yard and navigates through the north side
of the basement wall occasionally flooding the
home. The drainage problem makes itself evident
annually, and has become a serious concern.
Implied by the local feeding birds, raccoon family,
and other random evidence of wildlife is a modest
sanctuary amidst adverse environmental conditions.
30 species of songbirds have been cataloged by
homeowner Gail Riley, who is both a veteran school
teacher and an amateur ornithologist.
A walking survey of the nearby woods leads us to
select a plate of local vegetation to include river
birch, lily of the valley, blueberry, bayberry,
winterberry, summersweet, and cranberry viburnum.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Riley Garden
Gardner, MA
Gardner, MA
Program :
A pea stone pathway which doubles as a swale
draws the water to a lowpoint in the backyard.
Patches of lawn are defined to create varying senses
of enclosure and provide a system of hierarchical
organization.
Excavation of the drainage scheme revealed
several tons of existing native stones which serve to
retain slopes, provide seating, and unify the garden
experience. Birds are the topic of conversation here.
A myriad of chirps and whistles acknowledge the
native plant palate.
A pea stone pathway which doubles as a swale
draws the water to a lowpoint in the backyard.
Patches of lawn are defined to create varying senses
of enclosure and provide a system of hierarchical
organization.
Excavation of the drainage scheme revealed
several tons of existing native stones which serve to
retain slopes, provide seating, and unify the garden
experience. Birds are the topic of conversation here.
A myriad of chirps and whistles acknowledge the
native plant palate.
