Dothan Area Botanical Gardens blossoms with new additions

“The Gardens may be the best kept secret (in Dothan),” said Martha Yearta, president of the board of directors of the Dothan Area Botanical Gardens during a tour of the grounds Monday morning. “It’s a great place to come and walk or jog and to enjoy the flowers. And there is no admission charge to come.”

Tucked away on Headland Avenue, near the intersection with U.S. 431 North, the Dothan Area Botanical Gardens, which covers 50 acres and has 15 specialty gardens within its confines, has blossomed since construction began on the facility in 1996.

The concept for the Gardens was conceived in 1990, and landscape architect Michael Canaday created the master plan for the Gardens.

The groundskeeping for the Gardens is handled by volunteers. The Wiregrass Master Gardeners Association plays a vital role in the effort. But that group is not alone. Members of the Wiregrass Rose Society, the the Orchid Society and the Wiregrass Daylily Society also keep watch over the various specialty gardens and grounds.

“We’re fortunate in that we have gotten widespread support from all of those groups,” said Paul Angeloff, past president of the board.

The creation of the specialty gardens and other features within the Gardens has traditionally come in four-year increments. One of the favorite spots is the Wedding Garden, a projected headed by Tommy Ricketts. This garden features an English fountain donated by Dr. William Hodges. Seating is available for 600 guests. And the altar area will handle a wedding party of 20. It also features a 60-foot entrance pergola provided by the Alabama Power Service Organization.

“This garden works well, especially for spring weddings,” Mrs. Yearta said.

Another popular area of the facility is the Asian Garden, which features the Koi Ponds (completed in January 2008). The oriental-style bridge was added in the spring of 2008. Landscaping in this area re-mains a work in progress.

Another feature that is a work in progress is the Environmental Science Outdoor Classroom. Work began on this project in 2006. Its completion date is 2010. Funding for this project was provided by Michelin Tire Company.

Fountains and statuary grace the grounds. Many of them are placed in shaded areas that give visitors a place for quiet reflection. Visitors to the Gardens will enjoy seeing the four muses, which represent the four seasons of the year.

The Botanical Gardens is home to two historic Wiregrass structures. The building that currently serves as the office and meeting area for the Gardens is the Walden House, which was moved to its present site from the Walden Pond area of Headland.

The second historic fixture is the Wilson Windmill, which was declared an Alabama Historical Landmark in 2006. The windmill’s former home was at the corner of Eddins Road and the Cottonwood Road.

“The Wilson Windmill dates back to 1930,” Angeloff noted. “The Sid Wilson family donated it to the Gardens.”

The Wilson Windmill sits next to the Demonstration Garden.

“The Gardens shares with the public what is grown in the Demonstration Garden,” Angeloff said. “Two thousand to three thousand pounds of food are regularly donated to the Wiregrass Area Food Bank.”

The Dothan Area Botanical Gardens also donates many of the flowers that are grown on the grounds to the local hospice facilities. That typically translates to 300 vases that are provided for hospice patients in the area.

One addition to the Gardens will be evident in 2010.  Preparation work has begun on the Coleman Tropical House, which will house orchids and other tropical plants. A waterfall is also in the plans for this area.

“The trees and stumps have been cleared out of the area,” Angeloff said as a stop was made near the grounds where the Tropical House will be built. “Decisions on new additions are made by the site committee of the Gardens.”

While the landscape of the Gardens changes with the seasons as new plants, trees and walkways are added, there are some major plans on the drawing board that will include a new office complex.

“We got the detailed plans for it last week,” Angeloff said of the proposed office complex that will include the meeting space that is lacking in the Walden House. “We’re halfway there, from a money standpoint. The estimated final cost of the building is $1.2 million. We have raised $630,000 over a three-year period. Of that, $480,000 has been banked. And, of that amount, $475,000 came from our 28-member board. You can see how serious they are about this project.”

The meeting room in the Walden House will seat 30. The new facility will have a classroom with a seating capacity that exceeds that number and will provide the Gardens the opportunity to host educational workshops on site.

Ricketts Hall in the new building, says Mrs. Yearta, will be “utilized for weddings, receptions and board meetings.”

The Dothan Area Botanical Gardens also hosts special events throughout the year. Next up on the calendar is the annual “Scarecrow Month,” which is held in October. This will mark the fifth year the Gardens has invited the public to take part in decorating the grounds with colorful scarecrows. In its first year, the event attracted 16 participants. Last year, 47 entries were created. There are six categories to choose from to enter: Funniest, Scariest, Famous People or Character, Movie or Song, Most Original and School Entry.
For those interested in participating, the entry requirements are simple.

“They just need to call the Gardens,” Angeloff said. “We will hold classes for them. We also provide the frames for the scarecrows.”

Complete entry requirements are on the DABG web site at http://www.dabg.com.

All the participants provide, in addition to the materials used on the scarecrow, is the imagination needed to create an entry that fits one of the six categories. The entries are judged.

For more information about the Dothan Area Botanical Gardens, call 793-3224, visit at 5130 Headland Avenue (7 a.m.-7 p.m.), or you may visit the DABG web site at http://www.dabg.com.