Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden Announces Ceremonial Grand Opening Oct. 2-4
After nearly 18 months of construction on seven acres of new outdoor gardens, the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden is poised to celebrate a major milestone with a series of ceremonial grand opening events on October 2, 3 and 4.
“Our whole team has been working so incredibly hard. We’re thrilled to see such beautiful results and to invite the community in to celebrate with us,” said President CEO Stephanie Jutila. “Our ceremonial grand opening is an unveiling and sneak peek of a beautiful growing season next year.”
Guests will be able to tour the outside gardens Oct. 2 and 3 to see the new rose garden, water garden, riverside garden, conifer and gravel garden, shade tree allée and the belvedere overlooking the Des Moines River. Gardens in the final stages of construction — to debut spring of 2015 — include the celebration lawn and garden and the hillside garden and water feature.
The grand opening events will kickoff with a 10 a.m. press conference on October 2. The public is invited to tour between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., with the regular price of admission. A recognition reception will honor key supporters of the project at 6 p.m. that evening. On Friday, October 3, the Botanical Garden is offering free admission for guests to tour the new outside gardens and visit the conservatory exhibits as well.
On Saturday, October 4, the Botanical Garden will host its first annual symposium featuring a lineup of leading plant explorers from around the country.
“Major construction will be completed in time for our celebratory weekend but after the fourth we will close the exterior gardens up to finish additional planting and prepare them for winter,” Jutila explained. “This is a preview to interact with the space ahead of next year’s growing season.”
The October 2-4 events will celebrate the substantial completion of the exterior gardens and refreshed interior spaces, including the conservatory, administrative office suite, Trellis café and meeting rooms. Construction on the two-phase, $18.2 million renovation project began March 7, 2013. The initial Phase I capital campaign raised $12 million, nearly $2 million more than projected. The current Phase II campaign — We Are a Garden Now — has a $6.2 million goal.
“We have been extremely fortunate to have such amazing support and generous donors,” said Debra Peckumn, development director. “We’re still talking to donors as $3.2 million is still needed to finish phase two and we’re confident Des Moines will come through for us.”
About Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
On January 1, 2013 the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden launched a new beginning. After years of planning, a bold vision, generous community support and a new staff, the Botanical Garden assumed operatorship of a 34-year old conservatory and 14 acres of land bordering the Des Moines River. Armed with a mission of exploring, explaining and celebrating the world of plants, we are a garden now. The Botanical Garden is a 501(c)(3) privately governed, not-for-profit institution with ten years of operating support at $645,000 per year from the City of Des Moines, Des Moines Water Works and Bravo Greater Des Moines. In addition, the Phase II Endowment goal will grow the total endowment to $3.6 million.