About the location. This soundscape was recorded at 3:05pm on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Scripps’s enclosed, peaceful Margaret Fowler Garden. The garden has two small fountains, tables and benches, and detailed murals on the walls. Although it’s in the middle of Scripps campus, the garden is quiet and feels isolated and serene.
About the soundscape. This soundscape captures the layered, intimate atmosphere of the Margaret Fowler Garden. The most constant presence is the fountain: a loud, babbling keynote sound that fills the enclosed space and bounces off the mural-covered walls, creating a gentle reverberation that underscores the entire recording. Because the garden is walled in, this water sound becomes the fundamental tone of the space, masking much of the outside campus noise and contributing to the sense of seclusion. Towards the beginning of the recording, you can hear the scraping and crunching of gravel underfoot as people move along the garden paths, a signal that marks the coming and going of visitors. Layered under the sound of the fountains, there is a quiet conversation. Two students discuss coursework and internship applications, and their voices blend into the ambient sounds of water and footsteps, suggesting the peace and reflection of the garden.
Keywords.
Garden, fountain, chatting, students
Date, time, and location of recording.
March 3, 2026. 3:05pm 1001 Amherst Ave Claremont, CA 91711
Recording equipment. TASCAM DR-40 Linear PCM Recorder, handheld
