Town horticulturist Mark Jamieson contemplates his next move on the meditation path in Oliver’s new Fairview Park. Photo by Lyonel Doherty
As you follow the meditation path, your mind narrows to the point of focus.
On what?
Anything you want – your troubles, your dreams, a loved one, or a perplexing question.
Hopefully, by the time you exit the circle, there is a solution in sight.
“I’ve been trying for four years to get a meditation path in town,” said Public Works horticulturist Mark Jamieson, commenting on the new Fairview Park.
The meditation path offers people time to reflect on their lives. The path itself is lined with tufts of native grass, leading you to a nucleus – a large rock to rest your tired soul.
“The rock seats 1.5 people, so you have to get close,” Jamieson said.
The paved path through the park is lined with native plants and cacti. The roses on the north side will act as a barrier, so that people don’t cut through the park from Fairview Road, (You wouldn’t want to unless you’re prepared to get poked.)
Jamieson said this natural barrier was designed for public safety because the Town wants to funnel the public to the marked crosswalk on Fairview.
What will be nice is seeing the plants offer different colours at different times of the year.
A wordsmith at heart, Jamieson said the park will be like a human lung inhaling and exhaling with colour and vitality. Just you wait and see.
The park will feature a section of grass on either side of the path, with memorial benches and picnic tables.
Areas of bark mulch and desert cacti will reflect the importance of water conservation.
“We have to show people that water conservation can look good,” Jamieson said.
The horticulturist noted that Fairview Park will be the most aesthetically pleasing project in Oliver . . . until the next one.
He envisions the park playing host to wedding photos and family bocci tournaments.
A hop, skip and a jump from Fairview Park and you’re in Gala Park, another labour of love.
Jamieson said they designed this park to mimic mother nature with all native flora.
The project is actually a five-year experiment, he pointed out, noting the park should look like the side of Oliver Mountain in five years.
The plan is to get rid of the weeds, but that’s going to take time.
Jamieson’s method of weed removal might not sit well with some residents, one of whom argues that the weeds will continue to overtake any native species that the Town introduces.
Jamieson said they have been cutting the tops off of the weeds and getting rid of the seeds. He stressed they do not pull the weeds out by the roots because that only leaves exposed areas for new seeds to grow, and it will destabilize the bank on Gala Street.
“It’s not an immediate blanket kill of weeds,” he said, noting the native grass will outcompete these undesirable plants
“Nature takes time, and were going to help nature along, Jamieson said.”
In the meantime, he is urging people NOT to start pulling weeds in Gala Park.
The hope is this park will be a nice area for people to walk through. It already has a new picnic table and garbage receptacles, with doggy poop bags on the way.
And if you’re hungry, you can always snack on the Saskatoon berries and rose hips, which are high in vitamin C, Jamieson pointed out.
By Lyonel Doherty
