Successful capital campaign funds Gardens upgrades

Patrons’ generosity in the recently completed Central Gardens’ capital campaign celebrating its 20th anniversary has funded over two dozen different improvement projects and allowed the board to direct $175,000 to the permanent endowment. CGNI board president Becke Dorenbush noted that, “Central Gardens is always a work in progress, but these improvements will position it as a premier destination for the next 20 years.  We are so grateful to all who supported us in this effort.”  (A complete listing of donors to the capital campaign can be found in an ad in this week’s issue of the Mirror-Reporter). Honorary co-chairs of the capital campaign were Paul Barnds and Shawn Sabin, Corine Hadley, and Diane and Gary Laabs.  Community canvassers were Kirby Schmitt and John Sorenson.  

Visitors will note various improvements right as they enter the main entrance, including new finials and an arch that mirrors the iconic Moongate overlooking the Ceremonial Lawn.  The fountain was refurbished, a donor’s plaque added, a brick staging area to extend the performance area of the Gazebo is being laid, welcome center bulletin boards are being replaced, and landscape enhancements were also completed. Banners promoting Central Gardens hang on 8th Street utility poles.  

The most obvious addition is at the Activity Lawn, where a new Council Ring meeting area, designed to pay homage to the Native American heritage of the grounds, was added.  Limestone cubes for seating will be added as people sponsor them.  Next to the Activity Lawn, the Bee Happy Discovery Garden will expand and add visual enhancements for gardeners of all ages to enjoy.  At the far east end of the Activity Lawn a much-needed mulch pit has been added.  

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An astounding 73 trees, 223 shrubs, and 400 perennials were planted, all by volunteers!  

Other aesthetic improvements feature new lighting for the bridges, the gate at the NW corner and the exterior of the Nature Education Pavilion.  Significant remodeling of the pond water fall feature, redesign of the Cutting, Ornamental Grass and Wildflower Gardens, new arches at the NW and NE gates, the addition of a flag pole overlooking the Hero’s Walk and Sentinel sculpture, and backdrop plantings for the Moongate all add to the Gardens’ beauty. 

Creature comforts for visitors include the addition of shade awnings for the Nature Education Pavilion, the Mother Earth’s Work Shop, and the Council Ring.  Two new bench areas were created, additional tables and chairs were purchased, and landscaping enhancements to the Reunion and Naturalist Terraces were made.   Visitors will soon be able to identify plants through the addition of QR codes in the 20+ themed gardens.  

Other improvements are harder to see, but enhance the quality of the grounds, including a new irrigation system, planting of 8th Street buffer trees and shrubs, addition of soil amendments and turf mixes and correction of drainage problems, and the addition of a drip irrigation system to help with watering.  

Bob Rennebohm, former board member and co-owner of Rennebohm and Associates that provided pro bono design of the Upgrade 2020 effort noted that “the generosity of our many patrons, the hard work of contractors and volunteers, and the foresight of the board of directors have all contributed to this massive effort. We are eager to have visitors roam the grounds and enjoy all of the improvements.”

Central Gardens is open from dawn to dusk from now until Oct. 31.  There is no charge for admission.  To see the  2021 calendar of events and a history of the Gardens, go to www.centralgardensnorthiowa.com.   

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