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After a five-month delay due to supply chain issues, the Gateway Triangle Garden is finally nearing completion.
The three pre-cast concrete planters have arrived and have been installed over the past week by the Garrett Landscapes crew, under the supervision of Walter Garrett.
This week the planters will be filled with topsoil for seasonal plantings; then pavers will cover the surrounding concrete base. The remaining area will be filled with soil and planted with a hardy, colorful sedum as ground cover. If the weather cooperates, the project should be completed within the next three weeks.
Spearheaded by Main Street Lexington’s Design Committee, the renovation was undertaken to ensure a less labor-intensive, more consistent appearance that properly announces the northern entrance into Lexington, according to Rebecca Logan, MSL executive director.
Only the three raised beds will need seasonal changeouts, saving the Public Works Department the many manhours required for the upkeep of the flowers previously planted within the entire space each season, she said.
“The Gateway Triangle Garden sits just before the entrance to the Washington and Lee University campus and the Virginia Military Institute post, so a consistently beautiful appearance will give visitors a good first impression of our lovely downtown,” said Logan.
Arthur Bartenstein and his staff at ABL Landscape Architecture created the detailed site drawings and materials selection, coordinated with the installation team, and provided oversight of the project. Bartenstein serves on the MSL Design Committee.
Situated at the convergence of the two spring-fed streams forming Town Branch, this space is also historically significant; the abundant fresh water was a major contributor to Lexington’s founding at this site.
“Main Street Lexington is grateful for the financial support from Washington and Lee University, the Virginia Military Institute, the city of Lexington, and private citizens,” said Logan. “We are also appreciative of the Lexington Garden Club, which applied for and received a grant from Plant America. The club then gifted the money to MSL for the purchase of the groundcover and have offered assistance with the installation of the plants.”
Donations to the completion of the Gateway Triangle Garden are still being accepted either on the Main Street Lexington website at https://www.mainstreetlexington. org/donate.html, by calling the MSL office at (540) 319-4181, or by mailing checks to Main Street Lexington, P.O. Box 295, Lexington, VA 24450.
Main Street Lexington is a 501(c)3 volunteer-based organization whose mission is to support, enhance and promote downtown Lexington. The MSL Design Committee is tasked with implementing projects identified under the 2013 Downtown Enhancement Plan; the Gateway Triangle Garden is one of the projects within the plan.
