Thompson Rivers University is both huge and cozy. The campus pathways flow like so many rivers between all the different buildings. The staff and faculty are willing guides, but what really captivated us is the beautiful and thoughtful landscaping.
The first thing we noticed upon entering the grounds was the wide variety of plant life. We saw succulents, hot peppers, edible herbs, as well as somber pines and colourful maple and oak trees. The bright deciduous trees all looked like they were dressed to attend a festival!
Above everything is a coyote statue, to represent our guides in learning
In the early days, students were involved in campus maintenance and creating projects. Today, the majority of work is done by the facilities department’s grounds crew. Horticulture is still involved with landscape maintenance and development as a way for students to get practical skills training.
“We saw the campus as a living laboratory for students to learn skills in plant identification, landscape maintenance and installation. We wanted to produce well-rounded graduates,” said Wong. “I will never forget the adrenaline rushes during the horticulture labs—having over 20 students working outdoors maintaining the campus landscape and also working on landscape installation projects.”
When there are no horticultural students available, the campus is cared for by the facilities office and their landscaping team.
The gardens and trees have been planned with care and attention. For starters, there are plenty of shade trees all over campus which is something we’re sure everyone appreciates during the hotter seasons.
WAIT! Emily – Save some Hazelnuts for Sherryl!
There are also many kinds of food-bearing trees! Of course, we visited in late September when the harvest had already finished. We still managed to find a few hazelnuts though — yum! We were careful not to take too many hazelnuts or other edible gifts, as these are undoubtedly coveted by the squirrels and magpies that live on campus.
The most visually stunning piece of greenery on campus is the Campus Commons Courtyard. The spacious courtyard takes up a large circular area between four buildings. It is mostly grassy, with two winding paths that cut through and join up at the South-East side. What surprised us most is that it’s not just another lawn. Between and around the paths are tiny versions of the rolling hills around Kamloops. The person who designed the Commons planned the two paths to meet, echoing the two rivers that meet in Kamloops. It felt like walking through a fairy garden or diorama.
Exploring this place promises to be full of surprises. We are looking forward to our four years here to enjoy and discover the the many natural features of TRU Campus!
The Campus Commons Courtyard from the House of Learning
