Amphitheater Seating
The sloping landscape afforded the opportunity to create amphitheater seating facing an envisioned meditation garden. Excessive wild vegetation, vines and invasive garlic needed eradication. Scout groups and volunteers cleared the area completely in autumn 2016. A multi-stage approach was used to eliminate unwanted vines and wild vegetation. The first stage involved placing surplus cardboard panels over the soil surface. The cardboard blocked sunlight and prevented photosynthesis of the unwanted roots. The second stage included placing topsoil over the cardboard. The final stage added wood chips to retain soil moisture.
These June 2019 photos show the reclaimed amphitheater hillside. New grass occupies the area formerly covered with wild vegetation. The meditation garden shows the success of the weed mitigation effort. Successful reclamation of the amphitheater hillside and the development of the meditation garden created the opportunity to celebrate progress at Rapids Cemetery. An Independence Day celebration featuring choral music of the 19th Century presented by Coreopia was held for the community.
Reclamation project of the amphitheater 
Reclamation progress of the amphitheater hillside 
Reclaimed amphitheater hillside from the meditation garden 
Reclaimed amphitheater hillside 
Community members celebrate Independence Day at Rapids Cemetery 
Independence Day celebration featuring choral music of the 19th Century presented by Coreopia