water at Talking Water Gardens

Talking Water Gardens

A wetland designed to treat wastewater while creating a healing landscape for humans and wildlife.

Location
Albany, Oregon
Size
15 acres of features dispersed throughout 60-acre site
Year
2012
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Located on the site of a former lumber mill and railroad yard, the Albany-Millersburg Talking Water Gardens is the first public/private engineering project of its kind in the United States: a constructed treatment wetland designed to provide an additional level of natural treatment for a combined municipal and industrial wastewater flow.
pond at Talking Water Gardens
Unique also to this visionary project was the City of Albany's commitment to creating a healing landscape environment beneficial not only to the plants, animals, and microorganisms of the ecosystem, but for the human spirit as well.
rocky waterfall at Talking Water Gardens
For this purpose, Kurisu International was called in to work closely with wetland engineers to integrate the art of garden design with the science of engineering.
bridge behind tree in field at Talking Water Gardens
The result was eight waterfalls, streams and bridges that provide focal points and destinations in the expansive wetland, curvilinear paths connecting them, and viewing/resting areas to encourage contemplation and relaxation.
pond and rocks at Talking Water Gardens
aerial view of Talking Water Gardens
pond, bridge, and trees at Talking Water Gardens
reeds and water at Talking Water Gardens
bridge and tree at Talking Water Gardens

To learn more visit the Talking Water Gardens website.

Blue image of lotus flower

Healing Gardens

Our Japanese-style healing gardens are designed with an intention for restoration on the deepest levels. We incorporate the ancient philosophies and techniques of Japanese garden design to reawaken the connection between people and nature – between ourselves and the larger, timeless cycles of change and regeneration.

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