Gardens to reopen Saturday

Augusta will reopen the gardens at the former Georgia Golf Hall of Fame site on Reynolds Street this weekend, Mayor Deke Copenhaver announced Thursday.

The grand reopening is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday.

The gardens will be free to the public and open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

The area will be staffed by the city's Parks and Recreation Department during the open hours, the department's director Tom Beck said.

"We will have an attendant there, so people can feel safe and have someone to answer any questions they may have," he said.

The attendant will also provide a point of contact for people who want to donate their time to help keep up the gardens or take reservations from people who want to rent the gardens for private functions, such as weddings and family reunions, Mr. Beck said.

"The Golf Hall of Fame also rented the gardens, but our rates will be much lower than what the Golf Hall rented them for," he said.

In a Thursday news release, Mr. Copenhaver stated that all great cities have public gardens.

"And I know that providing free access will go a long way toward showing the public what a true asset this site is to our community," he said. "My hope is that citizens will make great use of the gardens for walking, running, picnics, or just taking a moment to enjoy a bit of peace and quiet."

The mayor commended the Parks and Recreation Department for the tremendous job it did in getting the gardens ready for public viewing.

Mr. Beck said department employees have hauled away eight dump-truck loads of dead plants and debris from the gardens.

"What we've concentrated on was getting the grounds cleaned up and making any necessary repairs from a safety point since it's going to be a public park," he said. "We want to make sure there are no holes to be stepped in."

Workers have not concentrated on replanting any horticultural areas where plants died during the summer heat and drought because it would cost more than $100,000, Mr. Beck said.

"We've concentrated on making the park presentable as a public park to promote people to come in for a walk or a jog or to sit on a bench in the afternoon," he said.

Reach Sylvia Cooper at (706) 823-3228 or sylvia.cooper@augustachronicle.com.