Everyone needs a wild space. A wild space is where nature is free, and thought is free. It’s a place for thinking of God, His creation, and our place in the universe. Contemplating this connection brings truth to light and informs our actions as human BEings (as opposed to human DOings) Our true individual nature is more likely to be revealed when we are in a wild space.  In the 21st century, it is less common that wild spaces happen by accident. They require care and perhaps intelligent and considerate construction. This is the case with the Dominican Sisters’ Meadow. It is a thoughtful, artful, well-researched construction of a bee- and butterfly-friendly, deer- and drought-tolerant, historically relevant, and wild garden with a pathway for humans. The inspiration for the Meadow at the Motherhouse began around 2014 and drew from both practical and spiritual sources. The building of St. Joseph's and the Dominican Center required that the Motherhouse keep all rainwater run-off on the property and facilitate its absorption into an underground aquafer. Consequently, 27 specially designed retention ponds were built around campus. The largest is in the current-day meadow. One of the architects of the St. Joseph’s/Dominican Center project had his own meadow and suggested that we use one to camouflage the large retention pond. He also referred John Greenlee, a horticulturalist and landscape designer known as the "Grassman" to help with design and construction. The underlying impetus for the Meadow was our commitment to the Care of Creation and their desire to use their land and resources to be good stewards of the earth. They chose to replace a large, water-consuming, English lawn with the Meadow to save water, help wildlife, and grow sustainable food.

As always, death precedes new life. In preparation for the Meadow plantings, the top 3-inches of soil and Crab Grass was eradicated and excavated by a front loader. If not completely removed, Crab Grass could overrun the meadow. But our plan for creating new life was undeterred.  John Greenlee drew up detailed, multi-layered plans that phased in plantings. Grasses and trees were planted first, then shrubs, and finally bulbs. It took some time for the plants to grow and look like a wild space, but it was beautiful every day.  

Today, children come to the Mission to learn about California history and are allowed to explore the plants the Ohlone used for medicines (Toyon, Black Sage) and basketmaking (Deer Grass) as well as those imported by the Spanish Missionaries (Olives, Strawberry Tree, Mission Fig). Our guests are allowed to be children: express curiosity, play ancient native games, and use their senses to explore nature.

The Meadow is a place for people to walk, reflect, pray, and learn. We can experience wildlife and surrender our inner life to God there, but the Meadow is not primarily for us. It's for water conservation, protecting our wild spaces, and allowing insects and animals to live. It’s a place for being.