Excitement Builds As Cheyenne Botanic Gardens Plans News Children’s Garden
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It’s hard to miss the enthusiasm in Shane Smith’s voice as he talks about plans for the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens’ new Children’s Garden. As director of the Botanic Gardens since it opened in 1977, Smith has seen a community treasure emerge in what he calls “one of the tougher garden climates in the Lower 48.”
“I don’t think people realize that it’s almost unheard of for a city of this size to have a full-service botanic garden,” Smith says. “One reason we’re able to do it is because of the incredible number of volunteers – mostly seniors, kids and handicapped individuals.”
Smith says that renowned landscape architect Herb Schall designed the new Children’s Garden, which is being privately funded by donations and should begin construction in 2008.
“We’re very lucky to have an award-winning landscape architect working with us,” he says. “The theme of the Children’s Garden is sustainability, and Herb has included all kinds of ways to showcase that idea. After all, that’s something we’ve been doing for 30 years.”
Indeed. The Botanic Garden’s unique solar conservatory is 100 percent solar heated, with 50 percent of its electricity also powered by the sun.
“The fact is that we live on a planet with finite resources, and we want kids to understand the importance of sustainability,” Smith says. “We want them to learn how to do more with less, whether it’s with solar heating, wind mills, alternative building materials or whatever.”
Smith says the garden will feature a Secret Garden – inspired by the children’s book by the same name – as well as a garden arts area.
“We’re envisioning a place where children can create art using natural materials,” Smith says. “It will be a beautiful place for families to learn and grow, and have fun with nature.”
Story by Amy Stumpfl
Photo by Antony Boshier
