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Donors fund upgrades to Georgeson garden path and service road

By Morgan Dulian

Walking through the Georgeson Botanical Garden, visitors are often astounded by the variety of plants on display, whether colorful peonies, hearty veggies or stately delphiniums. It’s an unexpected vista in the heart of Interior Alaska.

The nationally recognized botanical garden maintains these collections not only for the enjoyment of visitors but also for public education. Its mission includes research, education and outreach about high-latitude horticulture. The garden is a gem for UAF and annually hosts around 10,000 people, many of whom call Fairbanks home.

Over the years, visitors have walked unpaved pathways, sometimes stepping in mud puddles or stumbling while navigating the path. Other times, gatherings have been interrupted by the SaniCan truck as it services the outhouse near the Babula Children’s Garden. In fall 2022, the garden will break ground on a project to improve accessibility and the visitor experience. While it might seem unlikely that the bountiful harvest can be improved, this work will significantly impact the aesthetics of the garden, an improvement that will affect visitors for generations to come. 

Stepping in to fill this need is the Georgeson Botanical Garden Friends, a private nonprofit group. Its dedicated volunteers initially reached out to Design ������appto develop a plan for a paved main path from the entrance to beyond the Babula Children’s Garden. In the end, the project also called for plans to build a service road extending above the garden. 

The initial philanthropic investment for this project came from the American Society of Landscape Architects — ������appChapter, which graciously donated its services to develop the GBG Long Range Plan, and Design Alaska, which created the final design plan for the pedestrian corridor.

Once Design ������appprovided the design, Becky and Marv Hassebroek, members of the GBG Friends group, provided the entire contribution to construct the main garden path.

“We’ve enjoyed the Georgeson Botanical Garden for many years,” the Hassebroeks said. “During those years we’ve seen, due to the many budget cuts at UAF, the staff reduced to only one university paid employee, an incredibly resourceful and dedicated garden manager, Katie DiCristina. She has worked miracles during this time, but it’s been evident that it is not sustainable.”

“Fairbanks has been good to us, and the garden is truly a gem of the Interior. It is our pleasure to help!” the Hassebroeks said. “It is our hope that our investment will lead to increased revenue for the garden through expanded visitation, public and private donations, and community functions. We have already seen this happen! Please join us — this is only the beginning to a wonderful future for the garden!”

Patty Kastelic, president of the Georgeson Botanical Garden Friends, said members have long dreamed of a more attractive, accessible and inviting access path. “The promenade will greatly enhance their garden visit by featuring informational nodes, gathering points and viewing benches,” she said.

In fall 2021, UA President Pat Pitney invited the Rasmuson Foundation’s Board of Directors to tour the garden and learn about the main path and service road project. The Rasmuson Foundation followed the visit by inviting UAF to apply for a $100,000 grant to complete the upgrades. 

In June 2022, the Rasmuson Foundation announced that it would fully fund the remainder of the project costs. “The safety of visitors and staff in the garden is of paramount importance, and Rasmuson Foundation is happy to be part of the solution,” said Deborah Vo, program officer at the Rasmuson Foundation.

“What an energizing experience this has been to see the gathering of donors, designers and organizers that turned this vision into reality,” said DiCristina, the garden manager. “The corridor upgrade and new service road will not only enhance accessibility in and visitor experience of the garden but will also tremendously increase safety for all visitors. We are so fortunate and grateful for the extremely generous donations from the Hassebroeks and the Rasmuson Foundation. Community support is truly the backbone of the GBG!”

The garden pathway project is scheduled for completion by spring 2023. 

If you are inspired, consider making a contribution next time you’re at the garden. You can drop it in the donation box at the entrance or mail a contribution to the Georgeson Botanical Garden Friends, P.O. Box 81777, Fairbanks, AK 99708.