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The Main Street Lexington Design Committee announced last month that the Gateway Triangle Garden project at the northern entrance to downtown has been completed.
Once the three pre-cast concrete planters arrived after a fivemonth delay, the project moved along quickly, according to Rebecca Logan, executive director of Main Street Lexington.
Painstakingly installed by the Garrett Landscapes crew, under the supervision of Walter Garrett, the planters were filled with topsoil for seasonal plantings and pavers were set on top of the surrounding concrete base. The remaining area was filled with soil and planted with a hardy, colorful sedum as ground cover. Then, a volunteer crew placed seasonal flowers in the raised planters.
Before the pavers were installed onto the concrete base, a precast concrete compass was placed in the center. “It was fortuitous that a local resident, Jake Burke, who aligns ship compasses to true north, was kind enough to offer his services to align our garden compass,” said Logan.
Spearheaded by Main Street Lexington’s Design Committee, chaired by Jeff Hughes, the renovation was undertaken to ensure a less labor-intensive, more consistent appearance that properly announces the northern entrance into Lexington, explained Logan.
Only the three raised beds will need seasonal change-outs, saving the public works department the many man-hours required for the upkeep of the flowers previously planted within the entire space each season.
“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 Kelly Morikawa of 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, noted Logan. 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 helped with its installation in mid-April.
“We are thankful, too, for the generous gift from the Derrick Family Foundation Fund to use toward the purchase of seasonal flowers for the raised planters,” continued Logan. “This gift will offset the cost of seasonal plants for several years; we are grateful for the support of the Derrick family and believe this is a fitting legacy for Buddy Derrick.”
This two-year long project was the result of many people offering their expertise, skills, and insights to ensure the proper redesign of this significant entrance to the city.
“We are so pleased with its outcome and thankful for the support of so many,” said Logan. “This project was truly a community endeavor!”
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.
