Gallery Update
GEORGE NEWS - Ken Gie, a volunteer of the Garden Route Botanical Garden, is writing a series of articles in celebration of the garden's 25th anniversary in November.
Today's article reflects on many additions and improvements made to the garden that have made a huge difference in the offering that visitors can enjoy.
The Garden Route Botanical Garden as it is functioning today is the result of continuous projects and additions.
One of the additions is the large gazebo that was erected in December 2011. The groundwork for the environmental education centre started on 17 September 2015 and it was completed in October 2016.
In the olden days, sluices were used for rationing the George populace to two hours a week of water for their vegetable gardens. An example of such a sluice was built in the garden. It was completed on 21 August 2016.
In 2020, a wheelchair-friendly trail was built.
Picnic spots with tables were also added, as well as a bird hide and the bird rehabilitation centre, which was the most recent addition. The leaking roof of the Moriarty Centre was replaced and the old mud and pothole-filled parking area was paved.
PHOTO GALLERY: Garden Route Botanical Garden renovations
The standpipe being converted into a feature in the Botanical Garden's restaurant.
Creating a restaurant
Converting a kitchen leading onto an open stoep into a fully operational restaurant was hard work, but trying to complete the project to catch the December holiday made it a mammoth task.
Two pillars were added in December 2014. There was an old bathroom, with a bath, in the Moriarty Centre. The bath was removed and a toilet, basin and even a baby nappy changing table were added. The project was completed on 24 December 2014 at 12:00 to allow the workers to go shopping!
Directional signs
There was a need for directional signs and a local company sponsored the material and labour. Fred Hennop, who is a huge supporter of the garden, helped with the manufacturing. The signs were erected in December 2015.
Neat directional signs point visitors to the various divisions in the garden.
Water standpipes
After piped water was laid on in George in 1883, "standpipes" were strategically placed in the CBD for people to draw water from. The municipality connected them by underground piping and one of these standpipes has been transformed into a decorative water fountain at the entrance of the restaurant in the Botanical Garden.
Sanding the directional signs is Fred Hennop, who is a huge supporter of the garden.
Enclosure for restaurant
The restaurant in the garden is mostly outdoor dining and is therefore weather dependent. In 2019, an aluminium and glass enclosure for an indoor dining area was provided. The enclosure had been standing over a pool in Noordhoek, Cape Town, and was donated by a friend of Ken Gie. It was dismantled on 12 July 2019 and assembled in the garden on 29 August 2019. The floor was cast on 11 October 2019. The trust paid for the labour, transport and final finishes.
Most of these projects were made possible by money allocated from estates, donations by local businesses and the general public.
The garden has certainly been very fortunate to have received so much and without this generosity, the garden would have just been an open veld with fynbos. In the new year, a booklet about the history of the garden will be published and all the donors will be acknowledged.
The floor of the restaurant enclosure being cast.
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