Close friends aid in plans for Carson's garden

Plans are underway for the Eve Marie Carson Garden a commemoration and memorial to the slain student body president.

The site was approved by the Chancellor's Buildings and Grounds Committee in February" and the concept drawings will be presented to the Board of Trustees for review Wednesday.

The idea was initiated by a group of Carson's close friends who met after her death to brainstorm ways to remember her.

""We really wanted something that would reflect Eve's spirit" the friendships and interactions she stood for" said Student Body President J.J. Raynor, who was part of that student group. The garden design really does that.""

The garden will be located on the current paved plaza near the Campus Y.

Christopher Payne" associate vice chancellor for student affairs" said the spot was chosen by the student committee because it was a highly used campus pathway that could also be used as a destination.

""The idea behind it was to offer a place of interaction and reflection"" Payne said.

He said reflection refers to the opportunity to sit and contemplate the value of life, and interaction refers to a place where students can sit with friends and watch others walk by.

Everyone is intersecting in their lives ... in that spot"" said Katie Sue Zellner, Carson's former chief of staff, who is working on the project. We wanted it to be a place where people could get together and share ideas.""

Peter Schaudt" who created the concept drawings with Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects in Chicago" considered those elements in his design.

 ""I wanted it to be simple but powerful — a place where one person (could come) to grieve or another to lunch" or a happy place to greet somebody" he said. I wanted this to be slightly unique. She was a unique person.""

Schaudt" who was working on other projects on campus at the time said he never knew Carson personally but the grief following her death helped to inspire his design.

Schaudt's concept design includes trees that would flower around March 5 the anniversary of Carson's death Carson's favorite flowers and a glass reflection panel with engravings" poems or phrases. The garden would shield the parking lot behind it and have a view of Polk Place.

""I chose glass as a very fragile material" though it will be thick and durable that reflects the sky trees and peoples' faces Schaudt said. When people walk by" it will be full of light.""

Jill Coleman" a UNC landscape architect said the design is not definite but she hopes Schaudt will be able to carry out the project.

She said the time frame for the project depends on fundraising the next step of the process. The budget has not been set" though the project will be fully paid for with gifts.

She said she feels like the garden could be a place Carson would appreciate and use herself.

""Eve loved this beautiful campus and understood what a beautiful place it was"" Coleman said. We want to remember someone who was as special as Eve was.""



Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.