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Gardens Entrance Garden
Our arbor structure at the arboretum's main entrance was completed in 1998. It was designed by Kate Paul of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum and the builder was Houska Construction of Pierce. A large portion of the cost of the structure came from relatives and friends in memory of the late Buck Walmsley. Several people have asked when we are going to put the roof on. The answer is simply that the roof is complete. It is an arbor structure, not a building. Picture if you will, future hanging planters along the sides and vines crawling over the roof. The entrance area was landscaped in 1999 with shrubs and perennials which provided the finishing touch to the project.
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Bridge Garden
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During the early fall of 1997, 415 perennials and 92 shrubs were planted around the bridge. Funding for the project came in large part from an 80% cost share grant from the Nebraska Community Enhancement Program and generous memorial donations from Clint and LaVern Heyer in memory of Esther Lowry Childs and from Bill and Joan Chilvers in memory of Bob Chilvers.
WILDFLOWER AND XERISCAPE GARDENS
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Xeriscape Gardens |
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Wildflower and Ornamental Grass Garden |
Two gardens were planted on schedule in mid-summer of 1998. Over 500 perennials and shrubs were planted in the Xeriscape and Wildflower and ornamental grass gardens with the volunteer help of several local gardeners.
Funding for both gardens was provided through a 70% cost share grant from the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum's Nebraska Greenspace Stewardship Initiative. This grant is funded by Nebraska Environmental Trust lottery money to aid Nebraska communities in planting sustainable, environmentally sound landscapes on public land. The remaining 30% of the xeriscape garden was donated in honor of Dorothy Fogle who was able to see the garden before her death several weeks later.
The 30% cost share for the wildflower garden was met with donations in honor of Doc & Agnes Schleppenbach's 50th wedding anniversary and a memorial for Margaret Lunz.
BUTTERFLY GARDEN
The newest addition to Gilman Park Arboretum is a small butterfly garden located in the southwest corner of the area near Pierce Manor. With the addition of the sidewalk and the relative ease of providing water, this area will be the site for development of future theme gardens for the arboretum.
The butterfly garden contains plants for wind protection, food and shelter to attract butterflies. Funding for the garden came from the Gus Buss family in his memory. A bench is also present in memory of Elsie Hartman.