Teachers propose building maze

Teachers and neighborhood leaders proposed yesterday to build a stone labyrinth for educational and recreational use in the open space outside the art wing on the Colesville Road side.

A labyrinth is a mazelike circular path to a center area, like an ordinary maze except that a labyrinth does not have dead ends or trick alleys. Many hospitals and churches have them because the one-way paths offer an opportunity to reflect and find spiritual solace, but a labyrinth is not necessarily a religious symbol, said Linda Rogers, president of the Woodmoor Gardens Club.

Astronomy teacher Leslie Rogers, who coordinated the construction of the sundial in the SAC courtyard last year, said the labyrinth has applications in his Astronomy class for their archaeoastronomy unit, for science and math classes learning geometry and in English and social studies classes for folklore.

Rogers also hopes the labyrinth, which would be open to the public, could be a sort of peace offering to the community - an opportunity to overcome any lingering antagonism from the neighborhood's original opposition to Blair's construction at Four Corners.

In discussions with students, Rogers said that the idea was generally met with enthusiasm. On Feb. 22, Principal Phillip Gainous backed the project.

Rogers presented the idea to the PTSA yesterday in hopes of receiving a grant to fund the project. Planners hope that the Woodmoor Gardens Club will contribute money to the labyrinth. Because these funds have yet to be procured, the date for the construction's commencement has yet to be determined.

Leslie Rogers plans to model Blair's labyrinth after the Chartres-styled, 11-circuit 60-foot path in St. Luke's Gardens, Bethesda. Both building services and the Woodmoor Gardens Club would collaborate to maintain the garden. Linda Rogers plans to include a perimeter of stone benches and bushes to enhance the appearance of the labyrinth.

Currently, Horticulture teacher Leslie Backus has trees planted in the area where the Rogers plan to build the labyrinth. They will decide later whether to move the trees to another spot or to keep them where they are.

The complex layout of the labyrinth is supposed to be a symbol of the journey through life: It has twists and turns, but there is always a way, said Rogers.