The entrance gate in 2010. The landscape is buffered by the graceful sweep of trees. We see color peaking out at us. The old stock yard fence has been replaced by stately brick columns. There is just enough of a rise to give a small air of mystery as we proceed.

Notes for the year

As the new growing season starts a number of small projects are planned. We will plant a variety of perennials in the Rose Garden to add year-round interest; the enabling beds will be planted with annuals and grasses; a variety of fruits and vegetables will be planted in the Children’s Garden; tracks will be added to the Railroad Garden and additional dwarf conifers and six new directional signs are to be installed.

Hired Tyler Franklin as a summer intern

Sub-committee formed to produce a Site Development Report, following is the report summary.

SITE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

 RECOMMENDATIONS REPORT

MAY-SEPTEMBER 2010

The report is a result of review of the original master plan and the most recent site plan, brainstorming, on-line and other research, visits to other public gardens, review of the arboretum’s mission and values, and systematic rankings by the committee of generated ideas.  The committee consisted of members with a variety of backgrounds and experience at the Cedar Valley Arboretum and Botanical Gardens (CVABG). While developing this report, the committee took into account the fact that development & maintaining of current hardscapes and soft-scape requires volunteer/staff time, as well as funding. Therefore, the emphasis of this committee and its resulting report is to present recommendations that will enhance, not eliminate, existing features of the arboretum, while taking into consideration that funding and time are requirements for current and future hardscapes and soft-scape.

This report will set forth recommendations for future development and planning of the Cedar Valley Arboretum and Botanical Gardens for the next three to five years. The report is divided into two types of development; hardscapes and soft-scape.

The next step is to present this plan to arboretum stakeholders and obtain their feedback concerning the plan. Stakeholders would include volunteers, staff, individual donors, foundations, HCC staff and board, educators, and other community leaders. 

Then the committee will incorporate the feedback into a final plan, which will be presented to the board of directors. The board of directors will approve, disapprove, or approve with changes, the plan. The plan will become a major part of the strategic planning session which will be held January 29, 2011. At that time concrete plans will be made to initiate the

implementation of the site development plan, under the umbrella of the arboretum’s strategic plan.

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS

Hardscape consists of buildings or other structures

1. Visitor Comfort/Accessibility (pave existing paths, benches, shade structures, path network development)
2. Direction/Educational Signage (visitor directions, plant identification)
3. Visitor/Event Center (long term permanent structure)
4. Office Space/Information Center (present head house location)

Soft-scape consists of plantings & organization of planting areas

1. Tree Collections (existing inventory, future expansion)
2. Collection Gardens (specific plan for additions of like varieties)
3. Small Event Garden (site development for specific requests such as small weddings)
4. Wild/Natural Areas (development of areas with emphasis on making it child friendly)
5. Shade Garden (enhancement of existing garden)

Wine and Scare Crows

This was an annual fund raiser held right before the fall festival, we had wine and hors d’œuvre and usually a silent auction. We also had a demonstration from Deb Ewolt an area artisan.

Fall Harvest Festival

It rained this year!

Here is summary of what else went on this year.

Let’s have a closer look at these activities

Entrance Gate

In the past, this gate was kept closed when the site was not open. It was deemed problematical whether this was necessary. It was decided to remove the gates from the pillars but without losing the decorative value of either the gates or the pillars. This would also help to accentuate the newly revised entrance garden.

Rose Garden Pergola

The following is an image of a newsletter that explains this project

The family provided $15,000 to fund this project and the groundbreaking ceremony was held in May.

Arboretum volunteers provided all the labor to make this happen

As these exciting changes were taking place, this oasis of tranquil beauty continues to amaze.

As always, we could not do without them and this year we have some groups spending a day working in the gardens. We appreciate all our volunteers.

Americorps

Don Rasmussen

Phil Hufferd

Randy Robison

Howard Craven

Community Gardeners

Yolanda Little                                    Stacey Palmer

Howard and Roberta Craven             Dorothy Wright

Kay Rewerts                                      Paul Kammerdiner and Melinda Young

Jack and Diane Golden                      Mona Storm

Cassie Luz                                         John, Kelly and Renee Fisher

Dick King                                          Mary Fratzke

Tim Spengler                                     Janet Ludolph

Brandi Lynch

Putting the wraps on a great year at the Arboretum