22 Mar 2010 In full bloom: There is appeal aplenty at Garvan Woodland Gardens
The land that is now Garvan Woodland Gardens was purchased in the 1920s. Owner Verna Cook Garvan began to develop the property as a garden in 1956, and in 1985, she donated her 210-acre peninsula to the University of Arkansas School of Architecture. At that time, the property appraised for more than $25 million, but Mrs. Garvan wanted to continue her dream of developing a world-class botanical garden, thus opting to donate it to the UofA so that her dream might be fulfilled and enjoyed by Arkansans for years to come.
Since its opening in 2002, Garvan Woodland Gardens has hosted approximately 800,000 visitors. In 2009 alone, more than 132,000 people visited the gardens, representing all 50 states and 58 foreign countries.
According to Marla Crider, marketing director, peak season occurs in March and April when 30,000-plus visitors flock to the site to view the spring blossoms, which include daffodils, tulips, dogwoods and wildflowers, among others. During the autumn months when the foliage turns, they also experience an influx of visitors. During the holiday season (mid-November to Dec. 31), more than 42,000 people visit to enjoy the holiday display of lights.
With so much activity, Garvan Woodland Gardens relies heavily on volunteers and currently has more than 300 registered volunteers who assist in various areas, including golf cart drivers, greeters, planters/diggers and gift shop assistants.
On how they are able to find so many volunteers, Crider explained, “We have been fortunate in that our registered volunteers are really good about soliciting their friends and neighbors to join the ranks of Garvan Woodland Gardens volunteers. The established volunteers have such a good time at the gardens, they are quick to ask others to join them.”
With over 40 educational workshops offered annually, all designed to help home gardeners, Garvan Gardens is a great resource for the community. “We partner some of the workshops with the UofA Cooperative Extension Service and utilize the knowledge and talents of their horticulture specialists such as Janet Carson. In addition, the gardens’ resident landscape architect, Bob Byers, teaches gardeners about landscape design at many of the workshops.”
In addition to serving as a popular tourist destination and educational resource, Garvan Gardens is also a favorite venue for wedding ceremonies in the 501. Crider estimates that by the end of 2010, the gardens will have hosted about 200 weddings. Some of the weddings take place in the outdoor garden, but many couples choose to have a wedding inside Anthony Chapel, which is similar in design to Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs; however, Anthony Chapel is almost twice the size of Thorncrown Chapel and accommodates about 160 guests.
