Creation of "Koi Garden" to Begin in August on The Woodlands Waterway
The addition of "Koi Garden", an Asian-inspired garden and koi pond to be created on and around two existing "tear-drop" shaped islands in The Woodlands Waterway, will soon be another significant attraction in The Woodlands Town Center. (View artist's rendition)
The main island, located near Two Waterway Lofts, is approximately ½ acre in size. A pedestrian walkway with three new pedestrian bridges currently connects the islands to the mainland along the southern edge of The Waterway. Two additional bridges within the garden will provide scenic connectors between the land and water elements upon completion of the project. When the "Koi Garden" is completed, construction will begin on a pedestrian corridor linking it to Waterway Court and Timberloch Place. That phase of the project and the opening of the garden to the public are planned for early spring of 2008.
By spring of next year, Waterway Square and the Koi Garden should literally be in bloom with fountains spraying at Waterway Square, fish swimming in the koi pond and flowers blooming in the garden. It will be a magical place to be, and a unique testament to The Woodlands founding principle of designing with nature.
A variety of distinctive materials and exotic plantings will enhance Koi Garden along with a 2,400 square foot, 54,000 gallon koi pond that will be separated from The Waterway by dams. The koi pond will be one of the largest of its kind outside of public arboreta or gardens. Designed by SLA Studio Land and constructed by Millis Construction, the Koi Garden will be secluded from the pedestrian walkway by walls, fences and towering timber bamboo, native to Asia. The koi pond was designed in collaboration with Laguna Koi Ponds of Laguna Beach California, using bio-filtration methods for fish health and water clarity.
According to David Smith, principal of SLA Studio Land, there are common elements in the garden's design that represent several Asian cultures. Those elements include water, which is typically "Yin" or female, rock which is typically "Yang" or male, and plant materials expressive of the seasonal changes and the cycle of life. Common to many gardens is the inclusion of islands and bridges designed to emphasize the act of "crossing over between states of consciousness or 'worlds'.
The positioning of these elements provides different visual emphasis from various points in the garden. This experience is enhanced by a wide variety of hardscape materials, including granite, slate, pebbles, limestone and metal in a selection of interesting colors and textures. Flowering plants such as Formosa azaleas, camellia Japonica and Sasanqua, lotus, canna and blue, yellow and white irises will add to the seasonal color within the garden. Dwarf and timber bamboo, sweet olive, needlepoint holly, ginger and other plants will provide a rich greenscape. The garden is intended to be a place of retreat for rest and contemplation; an opportunity to momentarily escape the demands of our daily lives and reconnect with nature and life's purpose, whatever that may be to the garden visitor. These islands will be a signature location on The Waterway.
