University Campus

My son is going to day camp at the University of Waterloo, which is my own and my husband's alma mater. It is a very good quality camp, where they are exposed from a young age to many scientific and engineering concepts.

For example, my son has learned how to build strong bridges out of popsicle sticks (also known as craft sticks, or wooden coffee stirrers), and in his most recent session they were able to dissect a real cow's eye. (The younger age groups do "virtual dissection" on the computer.)

Cow Eyes Were Dissected in this Room



Today after I dropped my son off in the Biology building, I wandered around taking photos of the many plantings on campus. The grounds are in some ways more beautiful today than when I was a student, because as the open space is filled in with new buildings, more attention is paid to creating gardens in the smaller spaces that are left.

Alumni Lane



Alumni Lane was just being started when my husband and I graduated, with each graduating class donating a tree. Now there are many sturdy trees where once there were only a few saplings. [By the way, as shown in this photo there were many, many daylily plants on campus, some of which had seedpods bursting open just begging to be harvested -- so now I have a few seeds in my purse.]

This horse chestnut tree is not part of Alumni Lane, but it has been preserved in its own little area. It is starting to show signs of changing colour for autumn.



These built-in benches were there when we were students, although the landscaping around them has changed a bit.



Concrete plays a big part in the architecture on campus, but does not preclude the beauty of plant life. I think they have done a good job of combining the two, as these different styles of planters show.

Large Square Planter



The Principle of Repetition



Snapdragons for Colour



This pergola and courtyard was all open space when we were students. I think it is an improvement.

Pergola



Campus Centre Courtyard



We spent a lot of our time in the Math building when we were students. In those days there were no flowers around the blue sculpture; it was just on the grass. These photos also include some closer looks at the blue sculpture garden.

Math Building



Blue Sculpture Garden



Sempervivum and Portulaca



I Think this is Coreopsis


All photos belong to kbgardenblog.blogspot.com and may not be used without attribution.

I hope you have enjoyed this tour of the area around the Math and Sciences buildings of the University of Waterloo campus. Waterloo has a large campus and this is just one part of it. If I get the chance I will show more another time.