A Kaleidoscope of Nature

A Kaleidoscope Of Nature

8/12/2022

Sharing Design Kaleidoscope by RC Anderson installed at the Eagle Nature Trail in Eagle, WI

Some things are meant to be shared. Nature is one of them. Along the Eagle Nature Trail, in Eagle, Wisconsin, a new garden sculpture has added another element to nature viewing.

The Sharing Garden Kaleidoscope offers two viewing stations in one sculpture. A rotating planting bowl in the center provides the blooming color palette. Put your eye up to the scope, spin the rotating bowl, and, Voila! Magic!

Purple Coneflower dots the prairie landscape.

The nature trail itself has been a community based labor of love and green space since it began in 2009. In the decade plus since its beginnings, the trail has evolved into a splendid natural habitat that includes native prairie, a boardwalk and deck area, a woodland trail, an outdoor classroom area, and multiple seating areas and benches meant for peaceful nature viewing. Wildlife visitors here include deer, birds, rabbits, butterflies, wild turkeys, bees, cicadas, grasshoppers, field mice, and more.

Early in 2022, Beth Dobberstein, an art teacher at Eagle Elementary School, and Alli Chase, Library Director at the Alice Baker Memorial Library, had a vision to place one of these garden sculptures along the Eagle Nature Trail. They took their idea to the Trail Board meeting, where they determined that if the community would fund it, the Sharing Kaleidoscope could become a reality.

After months of community outreach and fundraising, the new garden sculpture was installed and presented at a public event on Tuesday, August 9.

I spoke with Beth Dobberstein, who praised the local community for coming together to make the project happen, "It all comes down to community".

She's right. When we come together at the local level, we can make good things happen. Adding a garden sculpture to a nature trail may not bring world peace, but it can instill a sense of peace, beauty, and pride to a community working together for a common goal.

Beth Dobberstein, Alli Chase, and Robert C. Anderson.

Sharing Design Garden Kaleidoscope by RC Anderson.

The sculpture, designed and created by Robert C. Anderson, is made with steel, and brass viewing scopes, and includes a rotating steel bowl for placement of plantings. Several design styles are available. A Door County artist, Anderson's garden sculptures can be found in both private and public installations across the United States, and in other countries as well.

Sharing the kaleidoscope view at Eagle Nature Trail.

A view through the Kaleidoscope.

The Sharing Kaleidoscope is a unique and artful addition to the Eagle Nature Trail. It is available for public viewing and is located near the outdoor classroom area of the trail (near the elementary school parking lot). Thanks to Alli, Beth, the board of directors, volunteers, and the support of local community members, the kaleidoscope of color that is the Eagle Nature Trail continues to spin beautifully.

The nature trail is located at 820 E. Main Street, in Eagle, behind the Alice Baker Memorial Library.