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Thursday, February 19, 2009

A Garden Grows in Glen Arbor

Glen Arbor Garden rendition
conception drawing for Glen Arbor Garden (from the brochure)
based on a news article in the Leelanau News, "Grand opening set for G-A’s new public garden project," Feb 18, 2009
and the project brochure


For generations, Glen Arbor has provided memorable moments for families whether they come for the summer, a week vacation or just a day. Nestled between the stunning beauty of Sleeping Bear Bay and pristine waters of Glen Lake are shops, restaurants and family attractions. It is a town where walking and browsing is a way of life. Art galleries enhance, musical events enrich, and gardens thrive.

In the summer of 2007, a group of citizens stepped forward with creative ideas for the space created by the vacating of the previous Fire Hall property. Initially, this effort was led by the committed women of the Glen Lake Garden Club. They were later joined by community leaders and the Chamber of Commerce. This dynamic group focused their attention on a garden oriented solution. The final design, developed by Russ Clark, a Traverse City landscape architect, was presented at a public forum iin June 2008 and quickly caught the attention and excitement of the community.

$75,000 was budgeted for the project, and that goal has been exceeded. One of the most successful efforts has been the sale of 400 commemorative bricks which will be used for the walkways and paved areas. A grand opening is being planned for late May, with the bricks in place. In order for the bricks to be ready and installed for the May opening, they must be ordered by Feb. 28.

“We have done tremendously well with the fundraising and are very grateful for the generous support we’ve received from the community,” said Linda Young, fundraising committee chair. Nearly $125,000 has been raised. The Grand Traverse Regional Foundation is handling the administration of the funds, allowing for contributions to be tax deductible.

The project also includes a public restroom facility that will be open six months a year, a community kiosk managed by the Glen Arbor Chamber of Commerce, walkways and a central gathering place.

“We’re eager to see the plantings, commemorative bricks, picnic tables and park benches in place as they will be the final touches on the project,” said Young. “We are planning a grand community celebration over Memorial Day Weekend to open the garden.”

SeeGlen Arbor Garden
See Glen Arbor Garden brochure, a pdf
These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Found your site via Entrecard.

The community garden sounds like a lovely idea. I bet that locals and tourists alike will appreciate it.

Sharkbytes (TM) said...

Some of the community gardens that have been created in the last few years here in west MI are really lovely and inviting. I think this one will be one of the good ones. Thanks for stopping by.

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