Ann Wegner
Staff Writer

When Aura Lee Emsweller asks her 8—year—old son what his vision for a greater Lafayette is, he might reply more candy and toys for all of the kids. But some local youths and Purdue students have entirely different sights for improving the community.

A small plot of land between Duncan Hall and the Journal and Courier building in Lafayette will be transformed into the Star City Dream Garden later this spring as a collaborative effort between Purdue landscape architecture students and members of the community.

The revitalization plans, discussed as far back as May, are a follow—up to the successful Secret Garden designed by landscape architecture students in the spring of 1998 and a part of the Hoosier Millennium project initiated by Indiana first lady Judy O'Bannon.

Rob Sovinski, associate professor of horticulture and landscape architecture at Purdue, whose class of sophomores is undertaking the project, says that the concept of the second garden began with thoughts about ways to celebrate both the millennium and the upcoming bicentennial of Indiana in 2016. "There are a number of initiatives going on around the state."

The approximately 20—by—80 feet green space between the downtown buildings is currently home to a not—so—alluring chain link fence and an air conditioner. Emsweller, director of Duncan Hall, said that when the Purdue students first evaluated the area with which they would be working, they asked if the fence had to stay. She simply replied that she didn't know to emphasize that anything is possible with the new garden. "One thing I love about this place is that people keep bringing their ideas to me."

Sovinski says that his students were a bit overwhelmed by the initial thought of the project, but now that they are through the analysis phase of preparation, they are coming to terms with what the project actually entails. Barret Roebuck, a sophomore in the School of Agriculture, said that the class is still in the thinking stages, but that after all the ideas are collected, some via e—mail, the students will be ready to work. "I'm from here in town so it's more special to me," he said. Katie Work, sophomore in the School of Agriculture, said that she has been excited about the project since the class was informed two weeks ago. "I think it's neat how it combines the community." Work, who is not an area native, has been researching Lafayette to see what it has to offer history—wise.

Landscape architects are the designers, planners and communicators in working with the natural environment. They must have a vision for the future and a plan to get there. With individuals from the community generating ideas for this project, these hopeful landscape architects will construct an atmosphere with respect to the natural environment as well as the human environment.

According to Emsweller, plans for the project are based on three thoughts. "What is something that is valuable now that will become more important to Lafayette in the future that should be preserved or protected? What is something that could be improved in Lafayette? What is something new that will help to make this an even greater Star City?"

The garden's name heeds Lafayette's 19th—century nickname. Cincinnati was the Queen City of the West and Lafayette, a prospering town and river port, called itself the Star City of the Wabash.

The difference between this project and the Secret Garden is that generating ideas is not limited to the Purdue students, although they will be mixing their own designs with the concepts they collect from others. Kindergarten through high school students are encouraged to share design ideas, quotes or drawings to make the Star City Dream Garden unique, significant and beautiful. Emsweller believes that it is important for people to dream. "What's something that people would first think 'you're crazy!'" she says. "We hope to inspire wild imagination, but thoughtful.

"(Today's youths) are obviously the ones who'll be living here, and they can have an impact on their lives. This is an opportunity to communicate that."

Emsweller says that a faculty member from Happy Hollow School prompted her to involve students in this project, and that since the brainstorming began, she has received positive feedback from art teachers and individual students. "There seems to be a lot of enthusiasm, it seems to be a great opportunity," she said. "You don't give kids of this age a voice and it's a really fun way, quite a challenge to take this barrage of ideas and (turn it into reality)."

Duncan Hall is named for Thomas Duncan, an inventor, industrialist and philanthropist who died in 1928, leaving building resources to the Community House Association, a group of Lafayette women, including Duncan's wife, Sarah Ely, whose mother was a charter member of the group. Members of the women's organization sought to improve the quality of life of other women who had been attracted to the growing city of Lafayette to seek employment and attend school. Duncan admired the work of the CHA and willed them a spacious, Georgian Colonial—style building to be a meeting place for social, patriotic, charitable, educational and cultural events. This community home, on Ferry Street in Lafayette, is known as Duncan Hall and the women of the CHA keep it as a place for community events.

Emsweller says that Duncan Hall was meant to provide a sense of continuity to Purdue students. She envisions the two gardens carrying on the original intention to improve the quality of life while providing a beautiful venue for people to gather.

Sovinski's students will present their proposals on March 27 and the winning entry will be selected by representatives from Duncan Hall, Purdue and the Journal and Courier. Building and planting is proposed to commence later this spring with Bennett's Greenhouses donating plants and local labor unions or others with expertise in landscaping hopefully donating time.

The informal theme at Duncan Hall is communicate, create and celebrate the important occasions that punctuate and add meaning to our lives. The Star City Dream Garden could tie into this motto and add to the vitality of the community.