2008 Woodie Awards
Green thumbs up
The Gardens at SIUE gets a Green Thumb, plans to grow
Jeff Mason
Issue date: 7/9/08 Section: News
When senior nursing major Kyle Hardiman of Edwardsville goes on his daily run through campus, he usually passes through the wooded trails of The Gardens at SIUE for a bit of extra scenery.
"I think it's beautiful," Hardiman said. "The bridge is great… I like running through (The Gardens) and the nature paths."
Apparently, the city of Edwardsville agreed with Hardiman, recently awarding The Gardens at SIUE with its annual Green Thumb Award. The awards are given to individuals and organizations around the city of Edwardsville that exhibit creativity and effort in gardening.
Wilma Jene Bond of Edwardsville, chairwoman of the Green Thumb Awards Committee, said anyone can nominate themselves or others. This year, the committee gave 13 different gardens the Green Thumb Award.
"People are so happy that their yards win," Bond said. "We really like people who work on their own property… We like people who do their own thing."
To say The Gardens is in its early stages of development is something of an understatement. According to The Gardens' Web page, the 35-acre facility will eventually have an amphitheater, visitor's center, wedding garden, great lawn for events and a host of different gardens, including a garden for new and unique displays and an educational garden for families.
"The final plan will go around Cougar Lake," Greg Conroy, director of public affairs, said. "The back of Berger Hall will be a part of it, too… It'll be all encompassing."
For now, guests can visit The Gardens' limited attractions, located near the intersection of North University Drive and Cougar Lake Road near Cougar Village. The winding pathway through the woods is riddled with freely growing trees, plant life and a series of stone benches.
"There's the memorial benches (for) various loved ones who have passed away," Conroy said. "There's also benches honoring various presidents of the SIUE foundation."
A sun garden full of a variety of plants and flowers decorates the path while the garden most visible to drivers on campus is bursting with bright yellow flowers and an assortment of wind catchers. Both gardens help brighten the areas of the path not shaded by trees.
"I think it's beautiful," Hardiman said. "The bridge is great… I like running through (The Gardens) and the nature paths."
Apparently, the city of Edwardsville agreed with Hardiman, recently awarding The Gardens at SIUE with its annual Green Thumb Award. The awards are given to individuals and organizations around the city of Edwardsville that exhibit creativity and effort in gardening.
Wilma Jene Bond of Edwardsville, chairwoman of the Green Thumb Awards Committee, said anyone can nominate themselves or others. This year, the committee gave 13 different gardens the Green Thumb Award.
"People are so happy that their yards win," Bond said. "We really like people who work on their own property… We like people who do their own thing."
To say The Gardens is in its early stages of development is something of an understatement. According to The Gardens' Web page, the 35-acre facility will eventually have an amphitheater, visitor's center, wedding garden, great lawn for events and a host of different gardens, including a garden for new and unique displays and an educational garden for families.
"The final plan will go around Cougar Lake," Greg Conroy, director of public affairs, said. "The back of Berger Hall will be a part of it, too… It'll be all encompassing."
For now, guests can visit The Gardens' limited attractions, located near the intersection of North University Drive and Cougar Lake Road near Cougar Village. The winding pathway through the woods is riddled with freely growing trees, plant life and a series of stone benches.
"There's the memorial benches (for) various loved ones who have passed away," Conroy said. "There's also benches honoring various presidents of the SIUE foundation."
A sun garden full of a variety of plants and flowers decorates the path while the garden most visible to drivers on campus is bursting with bright yellow flowers and an assortment of wind catchers. Both gardens help brighten the areas of the path not shaded by trees.
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