Nestled between Woods Hall and the Ferguson Center is a small area of land untouched by the University's recent development. If all goes well for the Crossroads Community Center, that land will be turned into the Capstone's first peace garden.
On Oct. 17, Crossroads Community Center unveiled several proposals, all designed by students at Amelia Gayle Gorgas library.
Nadia Monique Richardson, one of the co-founders of the Intercultural Student Council, said it's supposed to become a place of calmness for UA students.
"The peace garden is looking to have a place on campus where it's almost like an outdoor meditation area with different plants and colors used," she said. "It'll be somewhere that students can sit and reflect outdoors."
While none of the proposals were exactly alike, they tended to include same general themes.
The majority of the designs had benches and raised platforms creating outdoor classrooms to be used during pleasant weather.
Melanie Elizabeth DeBrielle, a freshman majoring in journalism, said she likes the idea of having class outdoors.
"I always stare out the window in class, so it would be awesome to actually be outside for class," she said. "Having an outside class would also be something new and exciting."
Colors and plant arrangements to create tranquility were also common ideas, along with incorporating outlets for students to charge laptops.
Hannah Williamson, a senior majoring in mathematics, said she would enjoy having a garden on campus.
"It would be nice to have an alternative to studying in the library or dorm room," she said.
Shareta Collins, a freshman majoring in communications, said the peace garden could also be used as a place to relax between classes, instead of trekking back to a residence hall room.
"I would use it, especially if I'm on my way to class and need to check an e-mail," she said.
All of the proposals for the garden were submitted by students, Richardson said.
"We contacted the art department and said we really wanted this to be something the students do," Richardson said. "One of the reasons the peace garden is so important to us is that we're trying to add to the tradition of UA."
The University would not be the first place to have a peace garden on campus; the University of Georgia at Athens and Duke University both have gardens
After completion, the Crossroads Community Center hopes to register the garden with www.gardensforpeace.org, an organization promoting such areas around the nation.
The garden is still in the planning process, and the group hopes to have a final plan laid down during the spring semester Richardson said.
Despite the uncertain due date, student response has been positive, she said.
"I feel that it would be a lovely place for us students to have," DeBrielle said. "We could go there if we needed to get away from our roommates, or just to get some fresh air and escape from stress."
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