The Promenade
The main walk through the woods, with smaller paths and projects branching from it.
A pleasure garden in the Colorado woods
A landscape
of marvels.
We are building a pleasure garden on five wooded acres near Palmer Lake: paths, odd little structures, stages, long tables, and a few good places to disappear for a while.
A work in progress · built by hand
I · The invitation
Merveilles · “Marvels”
A garden should
have a few secrets.
Merveilles takes its cue from the old pleasure gardens. We want music in the trees, supper outside, strange buildings, games, masks, and plenty of room to wander off.
We will make it a piece at a time. Some things will last. Others may change after a season or rot back into the ground. The woods get the final say.
II · The country roundabout
A true chart, fancifully drawn
From the Faire
to the high wilds.
The places are plotted from real coordinates. Pick a marker for notes and directions, or use the filters to narrow the map.
Places and roads are projected from GeoJSON. Road lines are simplified for this illustrated chart; this is not a navigation map.
III · Within the garden gates
Choose a region
What is here.
What comes next.
This is a working plan, not a survey. Select a section or named project to see what exists and what we have in mind.
IV · Things found in the woods
Things we are building
Follies, clearings
& curious devices.
The Gothic Orchestra
An outdoor collection of instruments, sculptural parts, and things that make noise after dark.
The Mushroom Grove
Oversized mushrooms, small games, and other foolishness among the trees.
The Vardo
A painted caravan for readings, stories, and the occasional fortune.
The Dark Walk
A narrow path best taken slowly, preferably with a lantern.
The Chashitsu
A small tea house and a reason to sit still for an hour.
V · Gather here
By invitation, by season
A place to make
and gather.
Most events here will be small and hosted. Think dinner for a long table, a concert under the trees, or a workshop that lasts all afternoon.
Nights
Music after dark
Small concerts, garden suppers, dances, readings, and lantern walks.
Days
Workshops & play
Building, gardening, rehearsing, cooking, talking, and making things together.
Stays
Camping in the glade
A few primitive campsites, by reservation and tied to hosted events.
Come make something
Have an idea
for the woods?
We are looking for people who build, plant, cook, perform, teach, repair, and invent. Tell us what you would like to make here.
Write to the garden