The Student Memorial Garden will create a reflective space all students can enjoy.

The Student Memorial Garden is being built adjacent to Manchester Field near Midway Drive behind the Student Center, said Brian Pickering, Project Manager II of the Office of University Architect. 

“The idea for the garden was first envisioned by the Undergraduate Student Government,” Pickering said. “It will be a place for those who have lost a friend, classmate, child or even a parent.”

The Student Memorial Garden will include a water fountain, pool, seating, pathways and plants, Pickering said. 

“There will not be any symbols or names in the Student Memorial Garden,” he said. “It will be a place for students to reflect.”

The Student Memorial Garden will create a singular location for student memorials, according to the Kent State University website.

The impact of the Student Memorial Garden on the students is still unknown, but it will be a beautiful spot for students to go, said Greg Jarvie, vice president Enrollment Management and Student Affairs.

“It’s expected to be a very tranquil area of campus,” Jarvie said. “It will be considered sort of a semi-private area.”

The Kent State Grounds Department will take care of the space, making sure it is cleaned up and free of distractions, Pickering said. 

The area where the Student Memorial Garden will be is still fenced off and hidden, but the completion date is nearing, Jarvie said.

“The completion date will be sometime before the end of the year,” Jarvie said. “The weather will play a factor in making that possible.”

The Student Memorial Garden will join the May 4 Memorial, which presents visitors with the opportunity to look deeper into the events that led to the killing and wounding of students on May 4, 1970, according to its website. 

Whether or not an opening ceremony will happen has not yet been determined, Pickering said.

Contact Anthony Didion at [email protected].