The Gardens at SIUE

The Gardens at SIUE
Type Public University Botanical Garden
Location Edwardsville, Illinois, United States
Website www.siue.edu

The Gardens at SIUE is a botanical garden on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). They originated as an arboretum and occupy a 35 acres (14 ha) tract of the university's 2,660 acres (1,080 ha) campus at Edwardsville, Illinois. They serve a twofold function as a living laboratory dedicated in support of the educational and research missions of the University and as a place of beauty for the university community to share with the general public. In light of this duality, The Gardens' master plan calls for the creation of a "public garden featuring spectacular horticulture, event spaces, areas for social gatherings and contemplative gardens" to be continuously enhanced over the coming years.[1] The Gardens at SIUE is recognized by the Missouri Botanical Gardens as a "Signature Garden."[2]

History

In April, 1990, Donal Myer, dean of the former SIUE School of Sciences announced that planning had begun for the creation of a campus arboretum, to be sited north of the parking area for the Tower Lake (now Cougar Lake) recreation area. The arboretum had been a part of the plans for the university from its beginnings but nothing had been done until Frank Kulfinski, professor of Environmental Sciences, suggested that it was time to start. Following Dr. Myers' death that August, the SIU Board of Trustees named the arboretum in his honor, and Dr. Kulfinski became its first director.[3]

In the ensuing years, the tree collection was broadened and diversified, and the arboretum saw much use as both an educational tool and as a recreational destination for the SIUE community.

The bridge over Turtle Pond in The Gardens at SIUE. Fall 2005.

In the late Nineties, funds were raised to further develop the site. Among the improvements, a permanent sign was erected and a bridge was built across Turtle Pond. In 1998, the Donal G. Myer Arboretum was rededicated.

In 2003, the Missouri Botanical Gardens' president Dr. Peter Raven created the Metro-east Outreach Advisory Committee, chaired by SIUE alumnus Ralph Korte and directed with discovering ways to amplify the Missouri Botanical Gardens' image in the Metro East region. This committee created the concept of "Signature Gardens", and the Donal Myer Arboretum was chosen as one of three Signature Gardens in the Metro East.[2]

In 2004, Terra Design Studios of Pittsburgh was hired to assist a planning team, consisting of SIUE Foundation staff; SIUE faculty, staff, and administration; and Metro East community members in developing a master plan for the arboretum. This process established a plan for the site which more resembled a public botanical garden than a conventional arboretum, resulting in the conclusion that the Myer Arboretum would become a part of a larger entity--- The Gardens at SIUE.[1]

In 2005, SIUE hired Doug Conley as the first full-time director of The Gardens.

In April, 2006 the 1st Annual Arbor Day event hosted 30 volunteers. In May of the same year, Rita Hardy donated a set of wind sculptures to The Gardens, and in September, The Hardy Family Wind Forest was dedicated at a "Garden Party" attended by more than 200 guests and featuring comments by Dr. Raven and SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandergrift.

With the completion of The Gardens Master Plan, The Friends of The Gardens at SIUE was formed in 2007. The 2nd Annual Arbor Day event was attended by 59 volunteers and 30 visitors; the event was a combination work and educational event, as volunteers removed weeds and planted trees, while visitors were instructed on the value of trees.

Through the efforts of Doug Conley, the University, the Friends of The Gardens, and generous benefactors, development and enhancement has continued, turning The Gardens at SIUE into a welcoming destination for all visitors.[4]

In January 2012, Jane Drake was appointed as The Gardens second director and served in that post until March 2014.[5]

On September 1, 2014, the directorship of The Gardens was added to the duties of James Pennekamp, special assistant to the chancellor for Regional Economic Development and executive director of University Park at SIUE.[6]

In 2016, the Illinois state budget crisis brought about severely reduced funding for The Gardens. Because of The Gardens' increasing popularity, the mayor of Edwardsvile proposed that the city take over the site's care and a survey was done of the Edwardsville citizens.[7] In August, the city and the university entered into a one-year lease agreement for the city to maintain The Gardens.[8]

Features

Among the features of The Gardens at SIUE are:

An example of some of the Art For The Earth at The Gardens at SIUE

Additional References[15][16]

Location

The Gardens at SIUe are located on Arboretum Lane, going south off Cougar Lake Road on the SIUE campus.[17] They are also accessible by the Delyte Morris Bike Trail, which connects with the Madison County Transit Nature Trail.[18]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "The Gardens at SIUE - Master Plan". Siue.edu. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  2. 1 2 http://www.siue.edu/gardens/signature.shtml
  3. "SIUE Archives - SIUE 50th Anniversary Historical Timeline". Siue.edu. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  4. "The Gardens - Edwardsville, IL". Yelp.com. November 16, 2011. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  5. Biggs, Julia (January 25, 2012). "New director of The Gardens named - The Edwardsville Intelligencer : News: siue, nature, special people". Theintelligencer.com. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  6. http://www.siue.edu/news/archives/ArchivesJULY2014.shtml#PennekamptoOverseeTheGardensatSIUE
  7. "Edwardsville Considers Taking Over Care of Gardens at SIUE". KTVI• A TRIBUNE BROADCASTING STATION. June 27, 2016. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  8. "Edwardsville Approves One-year Lease of The Gardens at SIUE". St. Louis Post-Dispatch/STLtoday.com. August 24, 2016. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  9. "Rotary's Prairie Portal to The Gardens". Edwardsvillerotary.org. January 1, 2012. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  10. http://www.cfah.org/activities/Getting_Tools_Used/usnews.pdf
  11. "Office of Assessment - Senior Assignment". Siue.edu. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  12. Bassett, Kathie (August 4, 2009). "Lighting up the night: The Gardens at SIUE open 'The Lantern' | open, edwardsville, siue - Features". The Telegraph. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  13. http://www.siue.edu/gardens/art-for-earth.shtml
  14. "SIUE Department of Biological Sciences". Siue.edu. August 19, 2011. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  15. Julia Biggs (October 8, 2010). "The Gardens at SIUE growing like a weed - The Edwardsville Intelligencer : News: siue, landscaping". Theintelligencer.com. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  16. http://www.siue.edu/gardens/pdf/Gardens_Map_Web.pdf
  17. http://www.siue.edu/maps/
  18. http://www.traillink.com/trail/madison-county-transit-nature-trail.aspx

General

Program-specific

Coordinates: 38°48′32″N 89°59′34″W / 38.80880°N 89.992844°W / 38.80880; -89.992844

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