Remember how we shared our blooming plans for the Visitor and Education Center at Monk Botanical Gardens last week?
Guess what? The seeds we’ve sown are about to sprout! Phase I construction will peak above the soil in just six days – beginning June 10th. We’ll send update each week to keep you in the loop so you can stroll through this journey with us. (If our initial news managed to flutter past you last week, catch up right here and join in on our excitement! You can also sign up for our email list.)
Our first step is akin to preparing a new bed for planting – we’re clearing the space along 4th Ave, readying it for our parking lot and gatehouse. Imagine pulling into a parking area that envelops you in the Garden’s embrace with native trees and plants at every step – that’s the experience we’re crafting.
Though we dreamed of a green, permeable surface for our cars to rest on, regulations set forth by the City of Wausau require us to pave the parking area. But every cloud has a silver lining, or should we say, every garden bed has its blooming flower. We will replace the removed trees and plants with beautiful natives that will attract more insects and pollinators to the Gardens.
As we dug deeper, we uncovered something very common to the Wausau area – a layer of non-toxic 3M material snug beneath the future beauty of our gardens. While it’s a familiar tale that Wausau is built on 3M material, our plot of land tells a story that leads us toward nurturing a stable ground for our future growth. Forty or so years ago, 3M material was placed over a wetland, making the entire site unstable. Whether we are creating a parking lot or planting a garden, this material must be removed.
When you visit the Gardens, you will see contractors removing all the vegetation from the area. We had hoped we could keep some of the larger deciduous trees, but we must remove them because they sit on top of this unstable material. Truckloads of soil will be placed, creating a stable base for the parking lot and rich soil for the newly planted vegetation.
Look for the signs at the entrance sharing the story of our transformation and beware of temporary flagged off areas to ensure everyone stays safe in our surroundings. But worry not – our garden gates remain open! We’re ensuring you still have access to your favorite spots that are not under construction.
It’s magical times like these when we see the Gardens evolve, reminding us how every little change contributes to something beautiful. Thank you for navigating this exciting adventure with us. Your continued love and support is truly the reason why Monk Botanical Gardens is Wausau’s Happy Place.
Till next week, keep blooming where you are planted!
With all the warmth and joy of a sunny day in the Gardens,
Your Friends at Monk Botanical Gardens
Design below shows the parking area along 4th Ave leading to Phase II VEC and out to the event lawn and new English Garden.
