- Location: International Ferry Terminal, Portland, ME (2007)
- Client: Maine Department of Transportation
- Size: 2 acres
- Material: Aluminum leaf on boulders, trees, marsh grass, boardwalk
- Budget: $80,000
Casco Bay & Portland Harbor
The refurbished site of A MoonTide Garden is a Portland public art rock garden that accentuates the dramatic 11 ft moon tides of the region. From the new boardwalk leading up to the garden, visitors see lines of marsh grass radiating outwards with a line of boulders leading the eye out to Casco Bay. When fully grown, the green strips of grass will be visible even when covered by the water of the moon tide.
The Site
View of the site prior to construction
The site of A MoonTide Garden was once a holding crib for disposing of dredge materials from Portland Harbor. The project was initiated with the building of the new International Ferry & Cruise Terminal, which brings international visitors to Portland.
The Tide
The boulders are capped with aluminum leaf, marking the point that water reaches during the highest moon tide. For most of the month the installation focuses on the anticipation of the tide. When the tide comes in, only the silver tops of the boulders are seen above the water.
Model of the site with new terminal