Purchase Labyrinth Celebrated Grand Opening Event

By Tia Porter

After four years of planning, developing and replanning, the Purchase labyrinth is officially open, marking the culmination of a long-term campus effort.

The grand opening of the labyrinth was held on Oct. 22. The event was open to all members of the Purchase community and allowed those who had been working on the project to see the fruits of their labor on display.

“I’m a little stunned and dumbfounded that it actually came to fruition,” said Kristi McKee, associate director of communications, “because it was four years in the making, but I am just so thrilled that people were using it.”

President Michael Steiper gave a speech on his hopes for the labyrinth. (Photo by Kristi McKee)

McKee proposed the idea of building a labyrinth after visiting one on Block Island. Since sharing her proposal, she has worked with many people from different departments to have one built next to the Native Plant Garden.

“We brought it here, and it’s open to everyone,” McKee said.

The grand opening, which had previously been postponed due to unsuitable weather conditions, was held outside next to the Native Plant Garden. It was attended by a large crowd, including Purchase College President Michael E. Steiper. The president opened the event with a quick speech thanking everyone involved in bringing a labyrinth to campus. The staff, faculty, and students in attendance gave him a round of applause before enjoying the snacks provided and live music.

“I think for a lot of people on campus, it’s just going to be a meeting place,” said Joshua Lutz, associate professor of photography. He elaborated that the labyrinth would act as a peaceful space for anyone interested in meditation.

Phoebe Alman, a senior majoring in biology, was inspired to attend the event because of Joshua Lutz, who teaches her contemplative photography class.

“Pretty peaceful day to have this opening,” Alman said. “It is a really nice idea; I like the location, I love how the native plant garden’s right there, and I think it adds a lot to the school.”

Once the labyrinth was open, some students chose to paint rocks, either with cute designs or inspirational messages. These will be used to build a kindness rock garden, which will surround the labyrinth. Rosario Pastrana-Palmer, a senior sociology major, took advantage of the weather and did some painting.

Rosario Pastrana-Palmer painted two rocks to decorate the garden around the labyrinth. (Photoby Tia Porter)

“I haven’t drawn in so long,” Pastrana-Palmer said. “This is nice.”

The team working on the labyrinth faced difficulties at every step of the way. Originally, the labyrinth was supposed to be built behind the Visual Arts building, but due to an ongoing electrical project, the location had to be moved. The project hung in limbo until earlier this year, when Vice President Patricia Bice decided to revisit the project with the help of grant funds available for mental health initiatives.

In the future, Purchase will see a few more additions to the space behind the dance building. McKee spoke of her intent to add benches near the Native Plant Garden in the spring.

“We are going to build on what we already have here,” McKee said.

Dr. Allyson Jackson, associate professor of environmental studies, worked with her interns to plant native flowers around the 29-feet-wide Chartres-style labyrinth.

“I’m just glad it exists,” Jackson explained. “This really was a lot of different groups that had to get on board and make this happen, and that’s kinda cool to think about. If a lot of people just want something to happen, we can make it happen.”

Rosario Pastrana-Palmer’s painted rock. (Photo by Kristi McKee)