Arroyo Sculptural Restoration-Week 3 of 6

April 30, 2022

Craig Sponholtz and his Watershed Artisans crew represent a unique blend of erosion control expertise, with inspiration as being “land/earth artisans.”

This project, on the west shelf of the Piñon Juniper Woodland (PJW), was designed to occur in two phases:

• Phase I, “gully stabilization” was hand constructed by two crew members, over two weeks last November, and it models much of the work Craig designed and constructed in the Orchard Gardens in 2012-2013; and
• Phase II began April 25^th and addresses the remaining 150+ linear feet of shelving, combining alternating and interspersed sections of Sedona sandstone and New Mexican limestone.

In dramatic contrast to Phase I which was completed by hand, Phase II requires two large track mounted mini-excavators and a large track loader, each operated with the surgical precision required to safely and artistically achieve the erosion control and the artful presentation of a simulated, eroded rock outcrop.  Week one of Phase II (or week 3 of a scheduled 6 week project) went smoothly.

We all look forward to the fast approaching day when the 40+ pallets of sandstone and two large piles of limestone, that have lived along on PJW’s service road since November, will be beautifully tucked into their designed resting spots.  The Garden leases the arroyo, from Old Santa Fe Trail to Old Pecos Trail from the City.  We are pleased and honored to make these lasting enhancements to the natural woodland portion of the Garden.  Stay tuned for future weekly updates, and come see the progress in person!