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RI Orchid Society © 2002-2008 |
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In 1878, noted Landscape Architect Horace W.S. Cleveland presented his master
plan for a park to be constructed on 110 acres of land donated by the great, great, great granddaughter of Roger Williams. His original concept of naturally situated
drives and walks utilized native plant materials to create spaces and vistas. As the Roger Williams Park grew to its current 436 acres, subsequent park planners
introduced more exotic trees, shrubs and flowers in the form of gardens and floral beds. Known as the "Jewel of Providence," the award-winning Roger Williams Park attracts
more than 3.5 million visitors per year.Cited by the national trust for Historic Preservation as one of America's premier historic urban parks, Roger Williams park
enters the new century with plans to build another world-class attraction.
Among lavish trees, stunning rose gardens, rolling hills and emerald lakes, the New England Botanical Gardens will be the first of its kind here in Rhode Island and
one of only a few in the region. The exquisitely designed Gardens will be a superior facility with its focal point being a multi-level glass and steel conservatory, rising
from a complex of visitor and education facilities. The Botanical Gardens will build on aesthetic character and botanical heritage of Roger Williams Park to advance the study and industry of horticulture and
environmental education in the State of Rhode Island. They will provide horticultural education to people of all ages and prove to be a beautiful retreat and year 'round
visitor attraction. The Botanical Gardens appeal on many levels to the environmentally-minded, lovers of the exotic, beauty seekers and avid gardeners.
Parks Department Selects Gilbane/NBBJ Design-Build Team for New Botanical Gardens at Roger Williams Park
PROVIDENCE, RI. - The Providence Parks Department has selected the team of Gilbane Building Company of Providence and NBBJ Architects of Columbus, Ohio to
design and build a Botanical Gardens complex at Roger Williams Park. The New England Botanical Gardens will be the first of its kind here in Rhode Island and one
of only a few in the Northeast. "The New England Botanical Gardens will join an elite group of Botanical Gardens that are enjoying amazing growth as tourist attractions.
The facility will help protect the horticultural integrity of historic Roger Williams Park and will provide visitors with an experience unlike any other in the Northeast," said
Charles E. Carberry, Executive Director for the New England Botanical Gardens. "We are excited about this project", states Bill Gilbane, Jr., executive vice president
for Gilbane. "Our company's history with the park spans two centuries. Gilbane constructed the Museum of Natural History in 1895, the Casino building in 1897 and
the Polar Bear exhibit in 1980." Gilbane and NBBJ are award-winning firms and have worked together on several projects nationwide. The complex will be designed, built, and operated with water and energy
conservation as essential ingredients. NBBJ plans a prestigious design that will feature botanical attractions and maximize revenue potential from gift and food
sales. Its focal point will be a multi-level glass and steel conservatory comprised of 6 exhibits to include a Tropical Rain Forest, a Pacific Water Island Garden, the Palm
House, a Bonsai Collection, an Orchid Collection and a Desert. State-of-the-art systems will be incorporated to maximize energy efficiency as well as reduce the
operating and life cycle costs associated with the facility. Nearly half of the funds required to build the $12 million complex have been raised.
"This is an indication of the broad support and enthusiasm for this project from people throughout the community," said Nancy L. Derrig, Superintendent of Providence Parks.
Cited as a 2000 National Preservation Award recipient by the National Trust for Historic Preservation for an exemplary 15-year effort to restore beauty and vitality
of one of America's premier historic urban parks and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 435-acre Roger Williams Park attracts an estimated 3.5
million visitors per year and was recently awarded the 2001 "Centennial Medallion Award", presented by the American Society of Landscape Architects as a national
landmark of outstanding landscape architecture. Often called the largest living classroom in Rhode Island, the park plays a key role in environmental and natural history education for the state's school children. The
Jewel of Providence offers a broad range of experiences including an award-winning zoo, the Museum of Natural History and the Maribel Cormack Planetarium, the Temple of Music, the Casino, the
Charles H. Smith Greenhouses, and the Carousel Village. |
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Roger Williams Park History
