TRAVERSE CITY — The final push is under way for a fundraising campaign to benefit the Historic Barns Park and Botanic Garden at Grand Traverse Commons.
To date, fundraising has generated more than $900,000 to renovate the historic Cathedral Barn and create a permanent community park and botanic garden at the Commons, site of the former Traverse City State Hospital.
About $1.5 million is needed to accomplish campaign goals.
"We are now inviting the public to join us in this distinctive project," said Karen Matte Schmidt, campaign co-chair and chair of the Botanical Garden Society of Northwest Michigan.
Historic Barns Park is set on a 56-acre parcel in the Commons' southwest corner. Local voters agreed to purchase the site and it's being developed into a hub for outdoor recreation and public events.
"Our purpose is to turn these historic barns into a beautiful area that serves the cultural, educational and agricultural needs of our community," said Ross Biederman, chairman of the Traverse City/Garfield Township Recreational Authority board and campaign co-chair.
He invited community members to embrace park fundraising efforts. The site is owned and operated by the City of Traverse City and Charter Township of Garfield Recreational Authority.
Cathedral Barn renovation is expected to be complete by 2014, and will include preservation of the original floors and interior architecture, fire suppression, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, as well as restrooms and mechanical upgrades at the lower level.
Matt Cowall, Recreational Authority executive director, said the project will boost to educational and tourism opportunities across the region.
"If you look around at this wonderful space, you can easily envision community concerts, weddings, educational uses and plenty of attraction for tourism from in and around the state."
Park nonprofit partners include the Botanical Garden Society. Their 25-acre garden is being designed by award winning landscape architect Ward Byrd.
Byrd led landscape projects in the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Brazil, Russia and China. Recent work includes the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, Penn. and a two-block urban sculpture garden on the Gateway Mall in St. Louis.
"There is no project that I have been more thrilled to work on in my career. I'm looking forward to coming back in five, 10, 20 years to see what happens," Byrd said.
Phase One of Byrd's plan includes renovation of the old granary building as a Visitor and Interpretive Center and classroom, restoration of the stone foundation of the original horse barn for a walled garden and construction of three additional gardens. Completion is planned by next summer.
"This has the potential to be a visionary place that incorporates the components of healing and medicinal gardens, agriculture, a celebration of water and nature all surrounded by the history of the landscape," he said.
The park also is home to community vegetable gardens, links to miles of nature trails and local programs. For more information on the Historic Barns Park, call (231) 929-3696 or visit www.HistoricBarnsPark.org.
Region
Related Photos
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Ross Biederman Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael StumpRoss Biederman (cq) speaks during a press conference announcing fundraising efforts for The Botanic Garden of Northwest Michigan, planned on the grounds of the Village at Grand Traverse Commons. Jan-Michael Stump/Traverse City
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Matt Cowall Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael StumpMatt Cowall (cq) stands during a press conference announcing fundraising efforts for The Botanic Garden of Northwest Michigan, planned on the grounds of the Village at Grand Traverse Commons. Jan-Michael Stump/Traverse City
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Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael StumpKaren Matte Schmidt (cq) speaks during a press conference announcing fundraising efforts for The Botanic Garden of Northwest Michigan, planned on the grounds of the Village at Grand Traverse Commons. Jan-Michael Stump/Traverse City
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Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael StumpArtist renderings of potential plans for the historic barns at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons were on display during a press conference Friday announcing fundraising efforts for The Botanic Garden of Northwest Michigan, planned on the grounds surrounding the barns. Jan-Michael Stump/Traverse City
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Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael StumpWarren Byrd, Jr. (cq), principal at Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects, talks about plans for The Botanic Garden of Northwest Michigan, planned on the grounds of the Village at Grand Traverse Commons, during a Friday press conference. Jan-Michael Stump/Traverse City
Barns, garden project pushes fundraising
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