Gateway Gardens
"The long-awaited construction of Greensboro's Gateway Gardens is now officially underway," announces Greensboro Beautiful Chair, Ann Steighner.
Strategically located one-half mile from Business 85/Interstate 40 near City-owned Barber Park, Gateway Gardens will be a major contributor to the quality of life for all Greensboro citizens, and will draw visitors from throughout the region. The garden is adjacent to the new Gateway University Research Park, a joint effort by NC A&T State University and UNCG. Planning for the gardens has been in process for over 10 years.
The new Gateway Gardens represent the culmination of what Greensboro Beautiful has learned over the past four decades about the construction, management and maintenance of public gardens. Other major gardens developed by Greensboro Beautiful in partnership with the Greensboro Parks & Recreation Department include the Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden, the Greensboro Arboretum, and the Bog Garden at Benjamin Park.
The eleven-acre site Master Plan includes the Michel Family Children's Garden, Greensboro Heritage Garden, Rain Garden, Japanese Garden, Wedding & Special Event Garden, Rose Garden, Showcase Gardens, a Visitor Center, and walking trails that take advantage of an existing White Oak Forest. The Gardens have been professionally designed by Cline Design Associates of Raleigh and Seay Partners of Greensboro in consultation with the City, Greensboro Beautiful, and community volunteers.
Construction will be completed in phases as funds are available, and the gardens will be maintained by the Greensboro Parks & Recreation Department's Botanical Gardens Division. Plans are to open Phase I of Gateway Gardens in 2010.
First Phase of Construction
The first phase of construction began in May, 2009. Fuller Contracting of Mocksville, NC is the general contractor. Phase 1 development includes the following components:
- Overall Site Work (60%)
- Decorative Fencing
- Main Entrance & Parking Lot
- Rain Garden & Pond
- Michel Family Children's Garden
- Greensboro Heritage Garden: Plaza; Icon & Water Feature; Entry Wall
- Public Artwork
- Initial Landscaping
- Irrigation
- Restrooms
Funding
Funding for the project has been a collaborative effort of Greensboro Beautiful, Inc. and the City of Greensboro. The City has committed the 11-acre site and $2.5 million in bond funds; with Greensboro Beautiful raising a total of $1.7 million in private gifts and pledges to date from the community. In addition, a $500,000 PARTF grant has been secured from the State of North Carolina, bringing the total raised to date to $4.7 million.
Gateway Garden Design Process
Beyond being a spectacular collection of trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals, Gateway Gardens will include a number of public art works. Selected from a national artist search, Francis Vega/Vega Metals of Durham has designed the signature Icon/Water Feature which will beckon visitors traveling on E. Lee Street into Greensboro. The Icon will also be the centerpiece of the Greensboro Heritage Garden Plaza. Greensboro artists Ernest & Lois Rich and Erik Beerbower are creating and will install several art works including four (4) Musical Sculptures; a Carrot Arbor; Vegetable/Fruit Seats (Rich's); a Book Stage and Butterfly Shade Structures (Beerbower). See the creative process of documenting the construction of the Carrot Arbor and Vegetable/Fruit Seats.
Donation and Naming Opportunities
Contributions in any amount to support further development of Gateway Gardens are needed and welcome. Naming Opportunities are also available. Personalized pavers can be purchased for placement in the paved walkways. For more information, contact the Greensboro Beautiful office at 373-2199.