It has been no secret that new plans are in the works at Goodell Gardens. No doubt, many of you are aware of the relocation and reconstruction of the 1840s hand-hewn, mortise-and-tenon Goodell family sheep barn. Many of you may also have read about the barn, along with the garden proposed to envelope it, in the article recently published by the Erie Times-News. In this issue of our newsletter, we would like to give you all an update as to the scale and scope of change taking place at the Gardens.

Set on the five-acre plot of farm field bordering route 6N and just west of the current Heritage Garden, the proposed construction includes many vital components. The first is the relocated and reconstructed Goodell barn, which effectively reuses the structure in a way that at once embraces both its contemporary function and its historic significance as an architectural artifact of a more agrarian time. In this way, the barn will function as a large and charming indoor space for events and programming, while externally serving as an historic architectural element that integrates well with the original Goodell farmstead.

Another feature of note will be the approximately two-thousand flowering trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials that will colorfully envelope the historic barn and events lawn. The current Goodell Heritage Garden began in the 1920s and 30s as a full-sun garden where the Goodell family grew historic hybrid roses, peonies, lilies and other sun-loving favorites. The planting plan for the new gardens at Goodell has been created with an environment and plant palette that pays homage to the ‘old’ garden’s beginnings. These features are just a few of those that are illustrated in the rendering at left. The short-term plan is to continue fulfilling Goodell’s mission of providing the community with a beautiful, botanical and historic setting in which to experience events of all kinds; concerts, educational programs and workshops, wedding ceremonies, or simply a relaxing stroll through the gardens.

What is the time frame for completion of this project, you may ask? The Board and staff at Goodell Gardens have been systematically developing this plan for some time: the barn is currently in use, the construction and grading has begun, and the planting plan is being finalized as you read this. The planning phases are complete, and we have broke ground in a step-by-step process that will, in the next few years, elicit a living version of the regional community asset illustrated above. While the Gardens is not planning an official capital campaign to raise funds for developing the new garden installation, the speed with which all of the mentioned components develop will depend greatly upon the good will of Goodell Gardens members and the regional community it serves. For more information on how you can help, please phone the Gardens at 734.6699.

   
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The staff of Goodell Gardens was thrilled to see a dramatic increase in our Monarch caterpillar population in 2007. Up from just 10 in 2006 (of which only 2 survived to pupa and adult stage), there was an impressive 50 to 60 caterpillars counted on our small crop of Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) outside the Visitor's Center. About 30 caterpillars were placed indoors in an aquarium and the rest were left outdoors in their natural habitat. The ones kept indoors were used to educate visitors about the Monarch butterfly and its life cycle. By Sept. 6th, almost all of the indoor and outdoor butterflies had hatched and begun gearing up for their long trip to Mexico for the winter.

Goodell Gardens is an official Monarch Watch Waystation for 2008.

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 Last modified: May 08, 2008