Post 2: Paved Paradise

For my second post, I want to return to the issue that I briefly mentioned earlier: the new and many cement pathways on campus. As previously stated, there are many students who believe that the number of walkways around campus are becoming excessive and that the presence of cement or pavement is becoming overwhelming. Yet, I find that I feel the opposite. Although gardens and trees and plants are wonderful to have on a college campus, or really anywhere for that matter, the pathways allow for more defined and well-kept locations for these garden areas. Without numerous pathways, students would cross campus randomly and go through the areas that are trying to be made more "natural." I think that St. Olaf campus could use this structure to the benefit and improve the landscape we already have. Each little cut out of land between the paths could landscaped without fear of students walking on/destroying the plant life. I think we could also do more rock gardens, like those surrounding the wind chimes, to add another aesthetic element to campus. I think the balance between cement and grass/gardens is in fact perfect on campus. To remove these new walkways, would allow for freer walking, and we would be forced to put more turf grass down that won't be noticeably damaged by the hundreds of students which would be crossing it.
In this case, the cement is allowing for more beautiful and fragile landscaping which will only enhance our campus. I believe we are far from fully becoming a paved paradise.

http://fusion.stolaf.edu/photos/index.cfm?fuseaction=Photo&id=313