An artist repurposed some leftover construction fabric to create the poppy portrait at the Crocker Park "sky garden."

A top secret and amazing garden at Crocker Park
By Thea Steinmetz
Insights
Published Oct. 13, 2010

There are some premium shopping areas in Cleveland, and Crocker Park has to rank very high on the list. In our own West Shore area, there are few people left that are not familiar with this high-style and attractive venue. Strolling along the streets, there is something of interest for every one. Be it restaurants, electronics, art, fashion or flowers, all is represented here. The flowers in all of the public areas are of special interest to many visitors. The plantings speak of quality, color, texture and overall appeal. The established standards set Crocker Park apart from any other retail vicinity.

Krista Hermes, a young woman with high energy, serves as the grounds supervisor. She grew up on a farm in Castalia and believed she would be a farmer. After getting a degree in horticulture from Ohio State, she realized the farming life was not for her and other opportunities to branch out were available. She really enjoys her job and said, “even if I am in the same place every day, there is always something new.”

When complimented on her job, she is quick to point out that there are many people involved in the overall project.

“We have an exceptional design team, so I can’t take the credit for all the work,” she said.

Her responsibilities have somewhat shifted since she came to Crocker Park five years ago. The second hat she wears has nothing to do with plants or planting. She manages the janitorial service and oversees the contract work that is needed.

While we are very much aware of the seasonal splendors, jam-packed hanging baskets and many splendid containers along the streets in front of the retail establishments, there is also a hidden treasure.

An aerial view of the garden on the 6,600-square-foot rooftop.

There is a viewing garden, or sky garden, that seems to be breathing rarefied air.

Hank Rapport, a vice president, and Ellen Ehhlert, garden designer, are the creative design team and worked with Krista on the artistically inspired sky garden. Fourteen lucky residents enjoy this spectacular viewing garden from their windows and balconies. This rooftop viewing garden has to be one of the treasures of Crocker Park. It is not open to the public, but part of it can be seen by going to the north end of the third and fourth floor of the Main Street garage.

Entering the space, one is overcome by a feeling of calm. Reminiscent of a Zen garden, the 6,600-square-foot rooftop affords enough footage for a spectacular design. The term “budget considerations” frequently enters the conversation, and yet there is no sign of cost cutting anywhere. A clever way of repurposing some of the materials resulted in giving the impression of a high-end installation.

Yes, it is a garden, but without having the plants in beds of soil. Large pots that had been used in other areas and had seen better days were all painted in the same color and now lend a luxurious expression. On the surface, soil was not an option because the garden had to be created on top of the existing roof structure. A host of restrictions, such as a weight limit, watering needs and noise control associated with residential units, had to be considered. Add to that extreme heat in the summer plus freezing temperatures in the winter and it becomes an almost impossible task to have this installation succeed.

Calm cannot be confused with boring as one is jolted out of a serene mood by viewing the two-story spectacular picture of red poppies. An artist repurposed some leftover construction fabric that is under the river rock and created this perfect poppy portrait. This strong focal point is suspended from up on high over a blank wall of the building.

The whole installation needed the assistance of a crane to move all the materials into place. The narrow hallways leading to the residences were not suitable for bringing in all the materials needed for establishing this secret garden. Two black water-filled troughs, called sky bowls, are reflecting the sky, clouds and poppy painting. Their 10-foot diameter provides an impressive feature in the overall design.

The large multiple pots are all planted with various trees and shrubs and under-planted with colorful flowers. Each container has its own small watering hose, ensuring the needed moisture without flooding the garden. The trees include maples and Japanese maples, lindens, willows, river birches and even a Harry Lauder’s walking stick. A ninebark shrub also lends it color.

A dry stone riverbed circles through the space, with various aggregates providing interest. River rocks, Mexican beach pebbles and river and pea gravel all are harmoniously integrated. Cement pavers were painted to appear as if they were the more costly blue stone pavers.

This rooftop garden is entered in the ONLA (Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association) competition in the unique category. Indeed, it is unique and deserves to be recognized as a winner.