FOCUS AREA | WATER-WISE GARDEN
This garden demonstrates water-wise principles, providing examples and inspiration for visitors from far and wide on how to manage the unique climatic conditions of the Sonoran Desert in a beautiful and appropriate way. Occupying a previously unused area of the park, it is also visible from outside of the park, inviting those who catch a glimpse to come into the park and see what else it has to offer. Species have been chosen for their visual interest, appropriate native habitat, and ability to be obtained by the public. Most, if not all, of these species are readily available, should the visitor want to incorporate some of these ideas and practices into their own home projects. The large mesquite trees provide shade to visitors, while creating a visual screen from the nearby buildings, street, and power lines, creating a sense of exclusivity and serenity within the boundaries of the park. This oasis effect may also serve as an inducement to passers-by to check out what the park has to offer. Water harvesting is another aspect of this garden, with cisterns proposed to catch water runoff from the nearby buildings, underneath existing drainage canals and atop existing concrete pads. This captured rainwater can be used for supplementary irrigation for nearby plantings, but will also redirect the runoff water from the foundations of the museum and help prevent erosion due to the steep slope in the furthest corner of the park, while providing an additional interpretive opportunity.
