Young adults from the Piedmont Community Service Crew (Venturers), a coed service program for youth 14-21 and operating under the Piedmont Council of Boy Scouts of America,  joined with gardeners to enhance the Torii Gate Garden with a set of large rock features. It was a big job.

Lead volunteer gardener for the Torii Garden, Peter Boyer, helped the crew learn an ancient method of moving large rocks using a sled and large wood tripod and pulley, as seen in the picture below. This method is still widely used in Japanese gardens. It allows efficient movement of rocks without powered equipment or damage to the soil and existing plantings.

This technique enables the gardener to rotate and view the rock and select  its most pleasing orientation and placement.  The Japanese Garden Organization’s article  Moving Mountains demonstrates this method. The technique also is taught annually at Merritt College in a one-day course.

Thank you Venturers, BSA and program Leader Ken Li for your hard work. We hope to see you in the Gardens again soon.

For more information on this event, see the Service Crew website.