Empty pocket gardens spread across the grounds of the Augusta Botanical Gardens serve as reminders of what once was.
On Saturday, despite such missing plant life that died after an unforgiving and dry summer and lack of maintenance, nearly 200 people turned out for Augusta's grand reopening of the gardens, which was once operated by the state as the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame Botanical Gardens.
Horticulture enthusiast Frances Bennett said the day's visitors proved there is still great interest in the site.
"It's so beautiful. I can't believe the governor would just abandon it," Ms. Bennett said, referring to Gov. Sonny Perdue's effort to cut off funding in mid-July. "You don't need to have something this valuable vacant."
Plans for the 16-acre site off Reynolds Street began in 1997. More than $13 million in public funds were invested in the site mostly toward the existing gardens, acquisition and infrastructure.
State funding ended last summer, leaving the future of the gardens in limbo, said Darrell Bennett, the project manager for Augusta Botanical Gardens.
The city now holds a six-month lease on the land.
"The mayor said he had a vision of making this Augusta's Central Park like in New York," Mr. Bennett said.
Tim Snipes, of Thomson, never saw the park before its closing in the summer. Saturday's weather gave his family an opportunity to take a nature walk, he said.
"I think this will be really nice once the flowers bloom," Mr. Snipes said. "Augusta really needs something family-oriented like this."
Mr. Bennett said he hopes the park can be a venue for weddings, festivals and concerts. Five summer weddings are already planned. The gardens will be open at no cost to visitors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Reach Stephanie Toone at (706) 823-3215 or stephanie.toone@augustachronicle.com.
missing links
What's still missing from the gardens are the many large statues of famous golfers.
In September, the bronze likenesses of Jack Nicklaus, Bobby Jones, Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan and Ray Floyd were carted to warehouses as a precaution.
They are considered property of the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame and were moved to prevent the vandalism some sustained while on display along the Riverwalk.
City Administrator Fred Russell said Friday he had not heard anything about the return of the statues.
"We would love to have them back, but that is a decision the Golf Hall of Fame board would have to make," he said. "They were donated by groups and individuals. Obviously if they're locked up somewhere, that's not going to happen."
Mayor Deke Copenhaver said he would try to make it happen.
"I am still working on it," the mayor said in an e-mail. "I am hopeful that once we get it up and running, we will be able to get the statues back."
-- Sylvia Cooper, staff
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