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A
quarter-century in the making, the
Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, straddling North
Fayette and Collier Townships, officially
opened its doors to the public August 1.
Local, state, and national officials,
including U.S. Department of the Interior
Secretary Sally Jewell, attended the
official ribbon cutting.
As the speakers each shared their thoughts
about the garden’s opening, a meadow behind
them filled with butterflies and birds added
the perfect backdrop.
This first phase unveils to visitors 60 of
the garden’s 460 acres for walking, hiking,
wildflower and bird viewing, relaxing,
children’s play and more. Named Woodlands of
the World, it includes three miles of
trails, one mile of which is handicap
accessible.
The trail winds past the new Bayer Welcome
Center, a refurbished 1870s era barn that
will house the entrance to the garden,
information center, a kitchen and catering
area.
Visitors will enjoy the Margaret L. Simon
Dogwood Meadow, which features more than 500
dogwood trees and various wildflowers native
to the area.
The wildflower meadow will be nurtured over
time to include species that will appeal to
birds, bees and butterflies.
Kitty Vagley, development director for PBG,
said the meadow includes the Highmark
Gazebo, which she describes as a “beautiful
white cedar structure.”
“In the Woodlands area, children can
participate in nine family moment areas,
which include a large bird’s nest, the
bookworm glen, the meadow maze and giant
Lincoln logs where they can build their own
habitat,” Vagley explained.
The Asian Woodlands Pond, which received the
Governor’s Award for Environmental
Excellence, offers a retreat where visitors
can sit, reflect and enjoy nature. A
beautifully arched bridge provides visitors
with the opportunity to view species that
make the pond their home.
In the Homestead area, visitors can see, in
addition to the barn, a log cabin from 1784,
which will eventually include a period
classroom.
Also
in this area are the heritage apple orchard
and a chicken coop. Sheep will eventually
be added to a sheep herd area adjacent to
the log house, where the sheep barn is
presently being constructed by Eagle Scout
Daniel Sheehan from Boy Scout Troop 830 in
Clinton..
An open area adjacent to the Bayer Welcome
Center is being transformed with the
construction of a large, stone fireplace. It
will serve as the backdrop for future
weddings and other special events. Vagley
noted that the wedding garden in this area
will be
planted in the fall, further enhancing this
special event space.
Now that the grand opening of the first
phase is over, there are still years of work
ahead to continue with the transformation of
the gardens’ 460 acres.
The Master Plan describes it this way: “The
Pittsburgh Botanic Garden will one day be a
world-class botanic garden, including 18
distinct gardens, five diverse woodland
experiences, a visitor‘s center, an
amphitheater for outdoor concerts and
performances, a
celebration center to accommodate indoor or
outdoor weddings and
corporate events, and a center for botanic
research.” |
