Article in Wyoming Tribune Eagle
By Josh Mitchell
jmitchell@wyomingnews.com
CHEYENNE — Botanic Gardens Director Shane Smith flips through a guestbook that has been signed by people from across the country. “It’s a great thing that a small town like Cheyenne has a botanic gardens,” Smith says.
But to preserve the asset, a $16 million renovation and expansion project (Proposition No. 4) needs to be approved on the Aug. 21 sixth-penny sales tax ballot, Smith said.
Article in Wyoming Tribune Eagle
By James Chilton
Cheyenne was ranked 5th best in America out of 100 cities in which to raise a family by Parenting magazine. The article pointed out that rankings were influenced by “access to alternative education outlets.”
Cheyenne Mayor Rick Kaysen said in the Wyoming Tribune Eagle article, ““We also look at our Botanical Gardens, which are continuing to grow. And part of that, too, is our Children’s Village, which is a huge, huge asset, not only for children but adults as well.”
Kaysen added that while the city’s low crime and unemployment are the “spokes in the wheel” of Cheyenne’s quality of living, it is the city’s ability to foster public-private partnerships for improvement projects that have helped to solidify the city’s sense of community.
The Friends of the Cheyenne Botanic Garden is one of the best examples of a excellent public/private partnership.
We had a great crowd at Shakespeare performance on July 7th, that was thinned somewhat by rain but the show went on. Special thanks to Cheyenne Light Fuel and Power, Holiday Inn and Davis and Cannon attorneys, LLC, for a great performance! The Wyoming Shakespeare Festival Company rocks and they are rainproof too!
As a part of the As a part of the Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power Summer of Power
New sod wall creature arrives in the Village
series the public was recently invited to the Paul Smith Children’s Village to construct a sod wall. In this region that lacked forests on the High Plains, sod homes were commonplace. The workers at the Village have taken sod walls to a whole new place. A place of friendly creatures. The wall will be up for the remainder of the summer. Special thanks to Landscape Architect, Mark Kosmos for his assistance in working on the wall. (more…)
A new sculpture made its debut today in the Paul Smith Children’s Village. It is a 6′ tall rabbit inspired from Alice in Wonderland and is titled “Late Again.” The sculpture was created by noted local artist Guadaloupe Barajas. It was a gift made in loving memory to A. J. “Tony” and E. L. “Jib,” Allegretti by Dan and Leah Allegretti.
Sculptor, Guadaloupe Barajas and Mason, Jim Johnson setting the new sculpture into the Village
“This is a wonderful gift to the Botanic Gardens Children’s Village, as it brings to life Alice in Wonderland which is celebrated each year during the Garden’s annual Mad Hatter Tea Party event, set to occur in early September. It is a great combination of whimsy and imagination and this sculpture will be treasured by generations to come. We are grateful for this gift and the excellent craftsmanship of Mr. Barajas,” said Shane Smith, Director of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens.
The National Garden Clubs Inc. has announced that CBG Director, Shane Smith, has been 
honored their national “Award of Excellence.” National Garden Clubs is recognized as the largest volunteer gardening organization in the world. According to National Garden Clubs Inc. “the Award of Excellence program annually recognizes individuals, organizations or institutions that have made significant contributions to their communities in such areas as environmental and civic responsibility, conservation, beautification and promoting the love of gardening,”
Upon receiving this award, Smith stated “To receive two national awards this year is a real surprise and honor. This exemplifies the fact that the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens is on the national radar as a landmark and something that the people of Cheyenne can be proud of especially because unlike other botanic gardens, ours is a project that is essentially handmade by volunteers. I see it as a tribute to this community and my small but incredible staff as well as a supportive City government.” Smith previously received the American Horticulture Society’s “Professional Award” as part of their overall Great American Gardener Awards for 2012.
If you have strolled the grounds of the Botanic Gardens in the past few days you probably noticed a lot of construction. The Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities (BOPU) is replacing 
water lines that traverse the grounds of the Botanic Gardens and Lions Park.
Much of the work includes pulling a new line through the ground rather than trenching. We are told that the work will be completed before June.
The American Horticultural Society (AHS) has recently announced that Director, Shane Smith is a recipient of one of their 2012 Great American Gardeners Awards. According to the AHS, Smith has been honored with the Professional Award, which honors a “public garden administrator whose achievements during the course of his or her career have cultivated widespread interest in horticulture.” (more…)
Visit this link to the New York Times web site for an interesting article about new apps to help you garden and do your own landscaping.
Best of Show: ‘Mosaic Guitar’ by Portia McCreery
Artist Choice: ‘Brook Trout’ by Joan Millhollin
People’s Choice: ‘Brook Trout’ by Joan Millhollin
Kid’s Choice: ‘Soar’ by Layne Sheridan
The Botanic Garden is a division of the City of Cheyenne Parks and Recreation Department.
This is the official web site of the Friends of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens foundation, a non-profit foundation dedicated to further the goals of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens.
© 2013 All Rights Reserved. Site by Warehouse Twenty One and the Friends of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens foundation
