On a bike ride on the gravel paths of Talking Water Gardens.
It’s too late now, probably. Too late for what? For changing the name of Talking Water Gardens, the constructed wetlands that were supposed to cool and further treat the already treated wastewater coming out of the Albany-Millersburg sewage treatment plant.
The name was suggested, if memory serves, by Diane Taniguchi Dennis. She was the Albany public works director when the city decided to build this project, which was completed in 2012 at a cost of roughly $14 million.
As a nod to the traditions or customs of the Indians who once lived in the area, “talking water” was supposed to echo the sound of waterfalls, a prominent feature of the installation.
The name sounded kind of neat at the time, even though it caused a couple of U.S. senators to include the project in their list of wasteful spending.
Now, “Talking Water Gardens” sounds like mockery every time you say it. There are no gardens. There is no water, and therefore no burbling falls.
There are, however, walking paths that are well maintained and nicely graveled. Every once in a while the bike takes me there, as it did one evening this week.
I you have a few minutes, you’re welcome to come along on that little ride:
As for a different name that might better fit this network of trails on the east end of Albany’s riverfront, let me know in the comments if you can think of one. (hh)
Moaning mud gardens…
Boondoggle Path.
Just leave the name alone. Using a Native American name is small recompense for our taking their homeland.
Thanks for the ride,,,never been there…use that bench next time to relax….
Wishing for Water Walkway
Simpson Water Gardens springs to mind! It would be an honor to the Simpson Lumber Company employees who labored there, doing very dangerous work mind you, over many decades and helping to make Albany prosperous.
I appreciate your video. I have been curious about this place but have only read a little about it so far. The name of it makes it sound very peaceful and intriguing but after “coming along” on the bike ride, I realize my expectations would not be met. Although, it does look like a very usable trail for walking or taking a bike ride.
Thank you for another informational article and video!
Number 39
Thank you for the tour, Hasso! I haven’t been out there for several years and it is sad to see the change. It looks so dry and needs a lot of weed control. This was a wonderful amenity for Albany and I hope the City Council prioritizes it in their upcoming budget to be put back into the beautiful gardens it once was.
Maybe we go with your previous article that a pump is inbound shortly. There for water will once again flow, and you stop with the clickbait.
My kiddos call it “Albany wildlife cemetery” After the city manager said people could go look at the turtles in the drying up mud, they will never go back there even if it has water again. This city is cold hearted and all the fancy restaurants and brick streets won’t change all the ugly things the city has let happen in Albany.
I like the name, “Talking Water Gardens”: We really enjoyed it back in the day when the water flowed, the birds sang, the turtles sun bathed, deer and wildlife visited the grounds, and people came and walked the paths. It brought tourists, artists, camera enthusiasts, school classes, elderly, handicapped with scooters and wheelchairs, parents and kids. I really hope they bring it back.
Sounds beautiful! This is more like what I imagined it would be.
Looking forward to the waters flowing again, and the birds.
Hub City Slough
On the assumption that the original concept, design, and function will be restored/achieved, I vote to keep the original name, Talking Water Gardens. The fact that the original attempt failed and the waters didn’t talk for awhile doesn’t matter. But whatever is decided, PLEASE don’t include an actual person’s name in the title.
Nobody is actually considering changing the name of Talking Water Gardens, laughable though the name may sound. I was just playing around with the idea.
Will the area ever be returned to the water gardens we enjoyed?