Garden Renovation Project Serves Community
The Glencoe Historical Society is committed to serving the community. One of the many services it hopes to provide is to contribute to the beautification of the downtown by making improvements to its buildings and grounds. The Garden Renovation Project here described grew out of this sense of obligation.
Eklund Gift To The Glencoe Historical Society
In 2000, Sara C. Eklund donated her prominent downtown Glencoe property to the Glencoe Historical Society for use as a Museum, Research Center, and Teaching Garden. The Garden fronts on Park Avenue, comprising almost half of her original double city lot. It has been a green space in the downtown Glencoe landscape since the late 1880s. Two buildings of the same era occupy the balance of the property. It is Miss Eklund’s stated desire that her gift of the present green space continue to be maintained as a Garden by the Historical Society.
Since there had not been any significant renovation work on the Garden for many years prior to the Historical Society’s stewardship, the Board directed in 2003 that a long range plan be developed that would include maintaining the Garden with good culture practices until an appropriate Garden renovation design could be implemented. While wishing to retain the character and history of the property, it was desired to make the Garden and buildings more accessible for public use. It was quickly determined that implementation of the Board’s vision and meeting the terms of Miss Eklund’s gift would require the use of prominent professional firms to handle such a sizable responsibility; firms which also had a good record of public service.
Historical Society Seeks Preeminent Professional Advice For Proposed Garden Renovation Project
Mariani Landscape of Lake Bluff has done considerable work for the Chicago Botanic Garden and is the winner of numerous design awards; and Nels Johnson Tree Experts, Inc. of Evanston has an equally outstanding reputation as well as a good working relationship with the Village of Glencoe and the Glencoe Park District. Consequently, the owners of both companies were approached and found to be genuinely excited about the project; both also readily agreed to donate considerable time and expertise as well as some services. As part of this process, the Historical Society also requested advice from trusted Village Officials, including the following: Village Arborist John Houde, Glencoe Park District Superintendent Rick Bold and Park District Horticulturist Tom McDonald.
All landscape/arborist/horticultural professionals consulted were in general agreement as to the immediate work required, while the process of developing a Garden Renovation Plan was initiated and a strategy to fund its implementation developed.
Immediate Property Needs Identified And Addressed
Identified as necessary projects for the 2003 gardening year were the removal of debris from the property and the removal of an unsafe brick path.
Bricks and Debris
Boy Scout Troop #23 answered the Historical Society’s call for volunteers to remove the unsafe brick path as well as to clear the property of years of accumulated debris. It was suggested that the removed bricks be sorted; those that were street pavers salvaged by the Eklund Family when Park Avenue was paved were stacked for future use. Also involved in this considerable task were Board Members of the Glencoe Historical Society and their spouses. The Glencoe Park District generously assisted the Society with the removal of a deteriorating and unsightly concrete surround which was in the middle of the Garden.
Volunteer Assistance
To improve accessibility, the Historical Society determined that a brick pathway needed to be installed in the early spring of 2003 to lead from the Park Avenue entrance to the former Eklund Workshop, which has now been partially renovated as the home of the Glencoe Historical Society and contains its donated historical collections. This walkway was paid for by donors to the “commemorative brick program.” The Historical Society has decided to continue this program to enable individuals and/or families to be remembered or to honor others with a memorial brick. The existing brick wall and gate at the entrance to the Garden were restored in 2003 with funds provided as a gift.
Memorial Engraved Brick Path to Museum
It was critical in preparing for the Garden Renovation to attend to the needs of the trees presently on the property. All trees were evaluated. Healthy trees were trimmed and shaped. Trees that were diseased were removed; and invasive species, such a buckthorn, were also eliminated from the property. To enable this work to be completed, the Board of the Glencoe Historical Society postponed some planned projects; which in combination with funds from the Glencoe Park District, Beal Properties and another donor allowed the necessary tree work to be completed this past summer.
Significant Tree Work Completed
The final determination of the Board was that it would use the 2003 gardening season as an opportunity to evaluate/identify plant materials already on the property and begin to reduce the invasive plant materials that were crowding out the more desirable specimens.
Nanking cherry and forsythia in spring bloom
Identifying Plant Material To Be Retained
Outstanding Collection of Existing German Bearded Iris
The Glencoe Historical Society property is home to a lovely collection of German bearded iris and several varieties of hydrangea. There are a number of ground covers that thrive; including sweet woodruff, pachysandra, and vinca. At the center of the property, enjoying the shade from the upper canopy of trees, are hosta and numerous ferns. At the back of the property are a few old-fashioned peonies, lilies-of-the-valley, variegated solomon’s seal and shrub roses. There are raspberry bushes, rhubarb plants and a currant bush. In early spring, it was noted that a few trout lilies, Virginia bluebells, and scilla bloomed. Though all of these plants are on the property, many are struggling for existence with less than ideal garden siting and culture; furthermore, they are battling for space with invasive species. We have more than our share of Allium vineale, which is more disparagingly known as garlic grass.
Researching Turn-Of-The-Century Gardens
With the assistance of Mariani Landscape, the Glencoe Historical Society Board spent time researching turn-of-the-century gardens, identifying specific garden features for consideration and discussing both the Society’s and the community’s potential uses of the property. The Society is cognizant that though the property has tremendous potential, there are many areas that are in desperate need of improvement. The product of Board study and eventual consensus was communicated in detail to the Mariani Landscape Design Team.
The Board mandated that the Garden reflect and enhance the late 1800s era buildings on the property, while screening some of the property’s more modern neighbors from view and addressing some of the Garden’s shortcomings.
Handicap Ramp and Modern Building to East in Need of Screening
Electrical Lines in Need of Screening
Modern Building to West in Need of Screening
Modern Building to West after Phase One Screening
Proposed Renovated Garden Design Required To Be Prudently Affordable
Donor’s Circle Upon Completion of Phase One
The space is to be designed as a garden setting, rather than as a park; and it is to use plant materials already existing on the land when appropriate. It is to be low maintenance with no grass, and it is to be prudently affordable.
Mariani Landscape donated a Garden Concept Design in the fall of 2003, a plan which admirably met the Historical Society Board’s specifications. Highly skilled landscape architect John Mariani heads the Design Team. The design of the proposed Garden space was done to preserve and enhance the character of the site and to recreate the beauty of a Garden that may have existed during the early days of the Village of Glencoe.
Arborvitae Being Transplanted to New Location as Part of Phase One
The envisioned Garden is divided into subspaces with different themes and motifs. The overall character of the Garden will overshadow these smaller Garden areas and give unity to the site. Some of the considered theme possibilities include a medicinal garden, a bird/butterfly sanctuary, and a demonstration garden.
The Landscape Proposal includes the following operations:
- Remove and properly dispose of remaining debris;
- Significant grading and amending of soil to conform to project specifications;
- Install a gravel path with sub gravel base for drainage and compact it for a hard surface;
- Relocate existing plants to sites that provide their requirements and are aesthetically pleasing; and
- Provide new plant material that will mask identified elements as well as lend appropriate character and scale to the overall garden plan.
Handicap Accessible Garden Path
Proposed Supplemental Large Plant Materials (Some Existing Plant Materials Are To Be Transplanted)
In addition to plant material already on the property, the proposed list of sizable plant materials that are needed to provide screening and construct a presently nonexistent understory layer of plant materials include:
Norway Spruce
- Three Norway Spruce
- Two 8 foot-high Eastern Redbud
- One Upright Beech
- One Pear Tree
- Four Armstrong Maples
- Thirteen Arborvitae
- Five Saskatoon Serviceberry
- Four 42 inch-high Dense Intermediate Yews
- Twelve Adams Yews
- One 6.5 inch-diameter Sugar Maple
- Thirteen Fragrant Viburnum
- Twelve Oakleaf Hydrangea
- One Hundred Small Shrubs such as Karen Azalea and slender Duetzia
Fragrant Viburnum
Eastern Redbud
Intermediate Yews Used to Accent Donor Circle Planting
Sugar Maple
Proposed Supplemental Small Plant Materials (Some Existing Plant Materials Are To Be Transplanted)
After these “bones” are in place, the bed preparation and installation of herbaceous plants for all the small gardens will begin. Though a final bedding plant list has yet to be determined, it is intended that beds will be densely planted to discourage weeds. To supplement transplanted ground covers, it is estimated that 150 flats of additional ground cover will be needed. In addition, it is estimated that 550 one gallon containers of perennial material will be planted. As a final step, the beds will be finished with an installation of leaf mulch.
Plant Materials Serve Different Purposes
The varieties of material have been carefully chosen to serve a particular purpose in the garden. Some shrubs (viburnum, serviceberry) have a loose habit allowing the garden visitor to peek through their stems and foliage.
Serviceberry
Dense habit plants (spruce and yew) will provide visual barriers to surrounding properties, utilities, mechanicals, etc. Judicious selection of plant materials ensures the garden will have four season interest by providing differing texture and color through varied leaf forms, densities of plant habit and characteristics of bark.
Mechanicals to be Screened
Mechanicals Screened Upon Completion of Phase One
View to Museum After Installation of Garden Path and Grading
Maintenance Schedule To Allow For Naturalist Growth Pattern
The maintenance of the renovated garden will not necessitate the use or installation of an irrigation system. Woody plants (shrubs) are to be allowed to form a natural shape and will need to be professionally thinned on a schedule of every three to four years during the winter months. Trees will need to be evaluated on a regular schedule and should be subject to a typical professional trimming program: ornamental trees—every three to five years; hardwoods—every seven to eight years. Mariani Landscape will guarantee all new plant materials.
Weeding will be with us as long as we have a Garden, and so gardening volunteers will always be welcome. The Garden Renovation Plan is designed to be low maintenance; but, of course, every garden requires ongoing care.
Security/Aesthetic Garden Lighting
The final piece of the Garden Renovation Plan is the addition of lighting for reasons of security as well as for aesthetic effect.
Moon Lighting and Tree Accent Lighting
Moon Lighting
Lighting is installed after the Garden is completed and is done by a specialty firm. We are presently looking at a proposal from the recommended firm Nightlight. They have proposed a combination of Moon Lighting and Accent Lighting for the Glencoe Historical Society Museum and Garden.
Significant Volunteer Effort
Capital Campaign Brochure Enlists Community Support
The Garden Renovation Project is only the latest improvement that the Glencoe Historical Society hopes to bring to the property it was given at 377 Park Avenue by Sara Eklund. Four hundred donors and volunteers have joined with the Board of the Historical Society in funding the projects that created a public museum and research space from an old furniture workshop these past 3 years; a far cry from the number of members and donors when the Glencoe Historical Society was simply a file drawer of papers in the Glencoe Public Library. It is hoped that more community members will discover this Village treasure and will choose to support its work through volunteer efforts, funding, the donation of artifacts and by attending Glencoe Historical Society events. All work of the Historical Society is funded by donations and volunteer efforts. There is currently no administrative overhead, so 100% of all donations are used for designated projects.
Projected Cost Of Garden Renovation Project
Capital Campaign Dollars Being Put to Good Use as Received
The total installation of all phases of the fully completed Garden Renovation Project is expected to cost $150,000. It is estimated that the project will require an intensive work period of one month to complete should the Glencoe Historical Society raise enough dollars to complete the entire installation in one phase; fall is the preferred season for installation. An alternative is to complete the Garden in designated phases as monies become available. The proposed landscape contract requires Mariani Landscape have large equipment access to the site by temporarily removing the rear fence.
Named Garden Opportunities and Donations
The Board of the Glencoe Historical Society finds it of benefit to the stewardship of the Eklund Garden to encourage and receive donations for improvements made to the property.
All gifts to the Renovation Project of the Eklund Garden are placed in a restricted fund to be used for the purpose of the Garden Renovation Project.
The Renovation Project is now scheduled to commence in phases, determined by the Glencoe Historical Society, as monies become available.
Guidelines have been established for procedures to be followed when donations are offered and received. A copy of these guidelines can be obtained from the Glencoe Historical Society 377 Park Avenue Glencoe IL. 60022.
Chicago Botanic Garden’s President And Chief Executive Officer
Upon learning of the Glencoe Historical Society’s intent to renovate and preserve the Garden at 377 Park Avenue, Barbara Whitney Carr, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Botanic Garden, offered the following statement:
“The Glencoe Historical Society’s proposed renovation of its downtown turn-of-the-century garden is a commendable project; one which will benefit the entire Village and is deserving of community support.”
Proposed Garden Renovation Plan
Architectural Rendering of the Garden Concept Plan
(View at full size 15 MB)
Green Markings on Design Indicate Phase One Completed August 2004
More Information Available
The Board and Membership of the Glencoe Historical Society hope that you take some time on your next visit to Glencoe to look at this very special property at 377 Park Avenue. The Historical Society is proud of its new home, hopes that you will enjoy this downtown oasis and encourages you to find a way to support the Society’s efforts.
Further information about the Garden Renovation Project may be obtained by calling the Glencoe Historical Society at 847.835.0040 and leaving your name, telephone number and/or an e-mail address. A volunteer will contact you.