The land around the Carnegie Library building offers enormous learning, relaxation, and recreational potential for residents of Colorado Springs. Although limited in size, this piece of ground in the heart of downtown has become an interactive garden through the efforts of many volunteers and donors. The Garden is highly visible, especially from the reading areas inside both Penrose Library and the 1905 Carnegie Library, and visually enhances the Carnegie building as well as the view of Pikes Peak from the reading rooms. Through the creation of different outdoor spaces, this small yet significant Garden is serving as an educational area for the entire community.

To enhance the Carnegie building's street-side façade, a massing of shrubs flanks the entry, including two columnar oak trees historically in keeping with the building. These trees will be 30-40’ tall at maturity, yet only 15’ in diameter, and will soften the structure's mass while not obscuring the classic front. They provide the needed transition to human scale, visually “anchoring” the building to the ground and adding the texture of foliage and branching in front of its granite corners. An eight-foot high wrought iron fence connects the Carnegie Library and former Knights of Columbus (KOC) building. The fence style is in keeping with the historic nature of the two buildings. Double eight-foot gates will be open when the Garden has official supervision, such as a Master Gardener docent during lunch hours in the spring and summer who can answer questions from visitors.

Outside the fence, low maintenance, foot traffic-tolerant shrub beds flank the entry court area paved with engraved flagstones. An obelisk – a created by seniors, home-schooled kids, veterans and artists -- serves as a welcoming beacon, and visually connects the building to the garden. The community art installation, coordinated by Concrete Couch, is a lasting statement about community, and the shared artistic experience that created it. Beyond the entry court is a simple allée – an “avenue” of long green lawn (25’x70’) – that leads the eye to a focal point statue at the south end (not yet installed). Memorial benches at the corners of the lawn contribute to the simple formality of the space and enhance visitors’ experiences.

On either side of the allée are two rows of Autumn Brilliance Serviceberries. These loosely branched ornamental trees will grow to a maximum height of 20-25’, creating shade and a “ceiling plane” for the garden without obstructing views of the Peak from the Carnegie building. Gravel covers the ground between the trees and the buildings, allowing maintenance vehicles close access to the buildings, keeping irrigation moisture away from the foundations, and adding to the simplicity of the space.

A performance platform is planned southwest of the allée for small public events (such as children’s storytime) and small invitational public events such as fundraisers, ceremonies, outdoor concerts, etc. Just south of the platform, a Golden Rain tree visually softens the hard surface of the Knights of Columbus wall facing the Penrose reading room.

A flagstone path leads from the allée under an arbor to the south-facing bank below the Carnegie Reading Room. This area, a Low Water Demonstration Garden for public education, has plant bed terraces created by stone retaining walls with a network of informal flagstone paths and steps winding throughout. Plants are labeled with tags giving common and scientific names, and printed material is available giving specifics of each plant, such as flowering season, mature size, and cultural requirements.

In contrast to the cool, green simplicity of the Garden’s first section, this area is lively and vibrant. Even when viewed from a distance, such as the Penrose reading area and the parking lot below, the Garden is attractive. It has a variety of colors and textures provided by plants that thrive under our harsh Colorado growing conditions. The variety of the plants educates, informs, and delights visitors strolling through the garden.

A curved retaining wall around a small multi-stemmed maple tree creates one of the special places in this area. A stone bench in the wall, a small area of flagstone paving, and the low tree canopy overhead make an intimate seating area – like a “fort” – that is fun for kids’ reading groups and adults alike.

The Garden will be finished as funds allow. Your donation is most welcome for this multi-functional outdoor space.

Planners hope to have an official grand opening in Spring 2007. Watch for details at the Library.