❁ Gateway Park - 2012 Renovations
Gateway Park - Winter 2012
The Swarthmore Centennial Foundation comes to the aid of Gateway (again)!
In late 2012, the Swarthmore Centennial Foundation generously provided a $10,000 gift to renovate Gateway Park. The funds will be used to preserve the park's key plantings, enhance its visual impact, and save on costly watering and the seasonal replanting of annuals. The Foundation has been a consistent benefactor to Gateway since the creation of the park in 2002. In that year, the Foundation--with an earmarked gift from an anonymous donor-- purchased the Gateway site for the Borough, and the Foundation has funded the replanting of Gateway's flower beds each season since 2002.
In late 2012, the Swarthmore Centennial Foundation generously provided a $10,000 gift to renovate Gateway Park. The funds will be used to preserve the park's key plantings, enhance its visual impact, and save on costly watering and the seasonal replanting of annuals. The Foundation has been a consistent benefactor to Gateway since the creation of the park in 2002. In that year, the Foundation--with an earmarked gift from an anonymous donor-- purchased the Gateway site for the Borough, and the Foundation has funded the replanting of Gateway's flower beds each season since 2002.
Gateway's history: A decade of public/private partnershipBefore 2002, the Gateway site was privately owned, and consisted of a third of an acre of weeds, scraggly shrubs, and dying trees. Shortly after the Centennial Foundation purchased the land for the Borough in 2002, a group of public and private organizations joined forces to create Gateway Park to provide a welcoming entryway to Swarthmore. In particular, the Environmental Action Committee of Swarthmore, the Scott Arboretum, and Swarthmore Borough cleared, graded, and planted the lot with trees and shrubs. Alice "Putty" Willets, who was then serving on Swarthmore Borough Council, played a key role in enlisting the help of several local contractors who donated their services to the cause. The original design of the park was developed by Jim Duell, a Scott Arboretum intern, using plants donated by the Scott Arboretum as well as trees and plants paid for by the Centennial Foundation. The Swarthmore Horticultural Society (SHS) volunteered to provide changing flower displays in Gateway's garden beds. Swarthmore College also provided financial help to defray the cost of the stone welcome marker that anchors the park, and SHS volunteers have replanted and maintained the flower beds each growing season since 2002.
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Gateway grasses - summer 2011
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Gateway's Sedum spectabile 'Autumn Joy' (fall 2011)
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Salvia vista purple at Gateway (summer 2011)
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Winter interest at Gateway--
Ilex verticillata (January 2012)
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WHY a Renovation now?
Evergreen screen - winter 2012
Since its inception in 2002, Gateway has grown into a beautiful lush entryway to the borough, but its fortunate fecundity eventually turned into too much of a good thing. By 2011, overcrowding and invasive species threatened the continued survival of the larger plantings. Costly tree removal and pruning were required to preserve the evergreen screen and the park's overall appearance. Moreover, increasing environmental awareness pointed to the need to reduce water consumption and introduce hardier plants that could take on the challenges of road salt and drought. These concerns prompted the Swarthmore Horticultural Society to approach the Swarthmore Centennial Foundation with a detailed proposal for the park's renovation, and the Foundation once again came to the aid of Gateway by providing the needed financial assistance to refurbish the park.
What Changes to expect in 2012
❁ Pruning and thinning of the trees and bushes to promote healthy growth of the
evergreen screen and larger specimens
❁ Reconfiguration of the planting beds to enhance visual impact for the motorist
❁ Springtime blooming of 1,600 golden tulips and daffodils (planted in fall 2011)
❁ Addition of large drifts of ornamental grasses and perennials to create a hardy
flowering meadow. See below for the specifics.
Revisit this site often to keep abreast of Gateway developments!
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New Plantings for 2012 at GatewayOver 2,500 perennial plugs were planted at Gateway Park during the weekend of May 26 and 27! Be sure to check out the "2012 Garden" webpage (use link at the menu at the top of this page), to see what will be blooming at Gateway Park this summer.
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SHS's role in the Creation and revitalization of Gateway
The SHS has been involved in the design and maintenance of Gateway Park's flower beds since that park's inception. Mimi Le Bourgeois served as the first SHS Garden Manager of Gateway, from 2003 until 2010. In addition to planning the flower beds of Gateway, Mimi was instrumental in recruiting the corps of dedicated volunteers who have replanted and maintained the Gateway Park flower gardens for almost a decade. Cricket Brien, who became SHS Garden Manager for Gateway in 2010, continues this important work and will play a key role in designing and supervising the proposed Gateway renovations. If you'd like to volunteer your services to help transform Gateway, contact SHS at [email protected].