12-15-98

Contacts:
Thomas J. Mitchell, ISU Foundation, (515) 294-4607
Mike Chaplin, Horticulture, (515) 294-3718
Steve Jones, News Service, (515) 294-4778

GIFT FUNDS ANOTHER EXPANSION OF
IOWA STATE'S REIMAN GARDENS

AMES, Iowa -- An anonymous $1.8 million gift will fund the latest expansion of the Reiman Gardens at Iowa State University. The Town and Country Garden will be a "home idea" garden to provide landscaping ideas and concepts for homeowners.

"This impressive gateway to Iowa State's beautiful campus will become an even greater educational tool with this newest garden," said ISU President Martin Jischke. "Reiman Gardens concluded its fourth growing season this year, and as the gardens continue to develop in beauty, so does their popularity."

The Town and Country Garden will portray suburban, urban and rural settings. It also will inform visitors about paving techniques, pools, small fountains, furniture, fences and other landscaping features.

"This home idea garden will be a great facility for homeowners and others to learn about concepts they can apply in their own gardens and landscaping projects," said Mike Chaplin, horticulture department chair.

Chaplin said the new garden will provide educational opportunities for the public and ISU students, faculty and staff.

Landscape architects are in the early stages of planning the new garden. Plans call for bids to be opened in May 1999 with a groundbreaking in June. Construction will be completed in late 1999.

The garden is the newest phase to be developed at the Reiman Gardens. The facility includes rose, herb, fragrance and campanile gardens. Construction on a children's garden began this fall, and a dedication is scheduled next summer.

Five of Reiman Gardens' 14 acres have been developed to date. Development of the entire area will make it one of the largest public gardens in Iowa. Private funding is critical to the project and is considered a priority for the ISU Foundation's Campaign Destiny: To Become the Best, said Tom Mitchell, ISU Foundation president.

"Developing these gardens strengthens Iowa State's horticulture department, already considered one of the strongest in the country," said Mitchell. "By securing additional private gifts, Reiman Gardens will become yet another area where Iowa State can show its progress to become the best land-grant institution in the nation."

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