Garden of the Coastal Plain announces name change to Botanic Garden to reflect plans for growth_
GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY[조지아서던대학교]
After months of planning, the Garden of the Coastal Plain at Georgia Southern University now has a new name, the Botanic Garden at Georgia Southern University, and with it, a dynamic new plan for growth. The Botanic Garden’s new vision will enhance the visitor experience and educational opportunities through additional gardens, and will attract patrons from across the state and region.
“We needed a name and a brand that sets us apart from other gardens, tells everyone where we are, and will grow as we do,” says Lisa Laun, president of the Garden’s Board of Advisors.
Garden leadership worked with design firm Perkins + Will and community members to conceptualize a master plan for new gardens, which includes a labyrinth, a new multilevel children’s garden, accessible trails, an orchard and paths that climb through meadows and wander through wetland gardens. The Garden’s showpiece will be a tower, loosely inspired by the native Coastal Plain pitcher plant, which visitors may climb via a spiral staircase to reach viewing balconies along the way and an expansive view of the Garden at the top. Built into every aspect of the plan are educational opportunities.
“We’ve already started measuring,” says Robert Randolph, the Garden’s associate director. “This plan won’t be sitting on a shelf. We’ve begun solving problems like visibility, parking and a beautiful, safe and easy to find entrance.”
“In addition to local folks who have become part of the Garden family, we’re attracting people from Savannah and travelers from the I-95 corridor,” added Carolyn Altman, director of the Garden. “They are all impressed with what the Garden offers, and we want them to go home and tell everyone that the Garden is a must-see destination. The Garden will use the special story already here to create a magical place for the future.”
Aspire, the fundraising plan for the project, has already begun.
“It’s going to take all of us to make this happen,” said Altman. “This is our chance to do something really special that will last a long time.”
The public may examine and learn more about the Garden’s new plan on Oct. 23, from 2 to 7 p.m., and Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Garden’s popular Fall Plant Sale. The sale and reveal will take place at the Garden’s Heritage Pavilion, 1505 Bland Avenue.
