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The
first tree was planted in the Arboretum on January 19, 1962. Through the
years, many hundreds of trees and shrubs were plants but not all
survived. An early factor was the low annual rainfall of 18-19 inches
and its uneven distribution. In 1967 the City of Lubbock approved a
$30,000 water system. This quick coupler system is still used in large
parts of the Arboretum. The City later put in an automatic sprinkler
system in many areas. The Parks and Recreation Department of the City of
Lubbock is budgeting funds to complete the automatic sprinkler system
for the Arboretum.
With the 1988 renovation of the Rose Garden, leaky hose lines were laid
under the cloth mulch barrier. After about 5 years we started getting an
increasing number of geyser-like leaks. Repair became such a problem
that in 1997-98 Horticultural Services of the Parks and Recreation
Department replaced the leaky hose with a pressure regulated PVC pipe
system and emitters. This worked very well until the spring of 2001 when
rodents started eating the ends off the emitters and chewing into the
PVC lines. They were after the water or possibly the salt that
accumulates after the water is shut off.
The chip mulch over the PVC pipes had settled and disintegrated and
exposed the pipe, which made them easily accessible to the rodents and
to human vandals. Fresh cypress mulch was placed over the PVC
pipe/emitter system and we hoped this would reduce the rodent and human
damage. We have not had this type of damage in 2002.
The Rose Garden and Tea Terrace have been favorite places for weddings
and/or receptions for years and now weddings go on in the St.
Paul’s-on-the-Plains Historic Episcopal Church all year long. There was
so much activity that the City of Lubbock added restrooms for men and
women and a storeroom to the Hodges Community Center, since such
facilities were not always available when weddings were taking place.
The City put in a sidewalk from the parking lot to the Church and deck
and benches at the entrance to the Church.
The Arboretum Board finished the walk around the Church and to the Rose
Garden. Since many people like to look in and see the inside of the
Church, a brick walk was extended up to a window on the north and south
sides of the Church. All rentals of the Rose Garden, Tea Terrace, Garden
& Arts Center, and St. Paul’s Historic Church are made through the
Garden & Arts Center (806-767-3725).
During the winter-spring period of 2000-2001, the irrigation crew of
Horticultural Services installed a drip irrigation system in the Georgia
Williams Green and White Memorial Garden around the St.
Paul’s-on-the-Plains Historic Church and sprinkler irrigation of
associated lawn areas. We so appreciate the help of the Parks and
Recreation Department of the City of Lubbock with the irrigation
systems.
We have a group of mostly ladies, most of whom are Master Gardeners,
which we have named the “Wednesday Wonders”. Wednesday is the day they
gather and labor, week after week throughout the year, to maintain
primarily the color garden beds around the Interpretive Center and
Transformer Station. They have hauled hose to water the beds for years
and finally in the spring of 2001 the Arboretum Board had sprinkler or
drip irrigation installed in all the beds. This is relief for the
dedicated volunteers and means that other aspects of the care of the
beds can be accomplished.
In 2001 the irrigation system in the Tea Terrace was renovated and the
grass was completely replanted by Horticultural Services, of the Parks
and Recreation Department. Repair of the brick retaining wall was
completed and in 2002 a large tile area of the walk around the Tea
Terrace was replaced with brick pavers. With the regrowth of the
burned out area of the Euonymus hedge on the south side, the Tea Terrace
is again a very nice area for weddings and other activities.
Arthur Elliot
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Whatever your passion - be it tree, roses or
simply a quiet place to walk - don't let the opportunity to support your
arboretum pass you by this year.
A museum of living plants requires a lot of care and attention, which
the arboretum managers can give only because of the thoughtful and
continuous help of Lubbock citizens. Your support is a key to
maintaining the arboretum's programs.
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