With an aim to leverage the large open green spaces in city, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has hit upon an idea to leverage rocks to lay out a majestic and appealing urban recreational space for citizens to spend their quality time. The Garden Department, that is helming the project, has zeroed on Suyog Nagar park named after Mahatma Phule to lay out a dazzling landscape to enhance the drab outlay at the sprawling green space in South Nagpur area of city. Given the novel concept, the Department commissioned a study as it wanted the project to have strong aesthetics, professional layout and eye-catching symmetry not just random placement of rocks around the place. Now acting on the design and idea presented by Architect Rajesh Gotmare, Garden Department is on lookout of bringing to reality the first rock garden of city. Amol Chourpagar, Garden Superintendent, said, the NMC thinktank was of the view that since the city lacked a rock garden, it was decided to dedicate a city green space to that concept.

 

Though the idea stemmed from famous rock garden in Chandigarh, the one planned at Suyog Nagar garden would be quite different, though primarily as the tone refers, the open space would be utilised by strategic placement of rocks of different shapes and sizes. The study presented to NMC has suggested numerous ways to leverage the rocks, saying they can have a rock climbing wall designed in the garden. This will be something that would be quite novel in the public spaces and especially those who love thrill, the rock climbing experience would be quite solid. Especially, it can bring back youngsters to gardens and also provide a space away for recreation away from the current trend of staying glued to mobile and computer screens, felt the NMC officials. Also, the design idea given also speaks of laying out a stone and sand pit that would also provide tiny tots an experience rooted close to earth. The design element suggests a circular layout of stocks kept atop each other with sand pit in middle or something like that. Then there is also talk about using stone pathway, one that is quite commonly used in gardens.

 

Ar Gotmare has also suggested putting up artificial and natural rock structures all around the garden plus affixing boards with detailed information about the types of rocks. Also, there is suggestion of a sculpted rock seating zones to enhance visitors’ experience to the garden, added Chourpagar. In all, the rock garden design is planned in such a way that it would have an interplay of strategically planted saplings that thrives in rocks which unlocking the natural beauty. It is also envisaged to delve into geology that would be paired with nature to provide a timeless beauty for the visitors. The most important aspect at rock garden would be the arrangement and design of rocks, the varying heights, slopes, gaps, would create a balanced and nature landscape, enhancing the visible beauty and provide appealing effect. One major advantage with rock garden is that, they have lesser maintenance cost.