Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Quote of the Day “That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet." - “Romeo and Juliet" 4The 'Rrterbanks 'botanical Qarbens Story and Photos by Ann Marie M i a n i' ETCETERA EDITOR Just outside of downtown Columbia, there is a beautiful, colorful, and scenic area known as the Riverbanks Botanical Gardens. The Botanical Gardens, which opened in June 1995, has been a colorful addition to the River banks Zoo. The 70-acre gardens are located in side the zoo on the west bank of the Saluda River. “The Botanical Gardens are located on a beau tiful piece of land it’s the perfect place for it and is easily accessible from this side of the zoo,” said Marc Rapport, public relations director for the Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens. In addition to being a very beautiful area, it has historical value. The site of the Botanical Gardens was the location of one the first water-powered textile mills in South Carolina. Although located in a beautiful area, attendance to the gardens is not as high as the attendance to the zoo. Rapport expects those numbers to pick up in the near future. As of now, a tram takes visitors to and from the gardens. However, the zoo is trying to make the gardens more accessible to its visitors. “There is construction starting very shortly on a road and entrance into the Botanical Gardens from the West Columbia side; that should be done in about a year. When that is done we cer tainly expect traffic to pick up in the Botanical Gardens, which is a wonderful facility that we want people to enjoy,” said Rapport. This road will give the public entrance to the Gardens from the West Columbia side of the Salu da River. The parking lot will fit 250 cars and have a bridge leading over the ravine to the gardens. The /Walleb Qarbett An area known as The Walled Garden is one of the main attractions at the Botanical Gardens. The area, about the size of a football field, is iurrounded by an eight-foot-tall brick wall. Inside rhe Walled Garden are a variety of flowers rang ing from roses to bulb flowers and from annuals to perennials. “There is a huge variety of perennials and an imals and trees and shrubs. There is a variety [trop ical and native flowers] they are doing quite a bit of work over there on combining plants from other areas that will do well here and moving them into the commercial market.” Visitors to the gardens love the different types of flowers and shrubs “We come about five times a year, maybe more depending on the company that comes. We come and see [the zoo, the gardens and the aquarium],” Columbia resident Laura Arduna said. Gardens seepages (Above) View from the entrance of the Botanical Gardens. The Gazebo, which faces the Old Rose Garden, Is a place where visitors can sit and enjoy the view. Viators enjoy the afternoon sunlight In the Rlverbanks Botanical Gardens. ■ i▼ i I |T| | I | ■ 7 a I «■ i»i 1 I 1*^1 I " a " M ^ i |T| Ford Focus & Ford Explorer Sport-Trac The 3 Rivers Music Festival The New Brookland Tavern The Elbow Room Outspokin' Rising High The 4:20 Intermezzo Ovens Auditorium Wynnsong Carmike Cinema Peter's Salon for Hair and Color Papa Jazz r Rosewood Market Blockbuster Pavilion Salty's Skate Shop The Firm Unistar Systems Frankie's Fun Park McKenzie's Yesterday's The Body Shop The Gamecock Student Newspaper * Carolina Productions Office of Alcohol & Drug Programs April 8 Seely Erector Set Mandible April 10 Storm & Stress Keno Eye April 11 Deadbolt April 12 Fin Fang Foom JonTodd April 13 Bad Livers Flat Out Strangers April 14 PaulCebar April 15 Ozone Quartet Matter Eater April 16 ZAO