Garden Projects

October 2025 Heritage Garden

In October, we hosted volunteers from CityServe to help us complete a much-needed project in the Heritage Garden. The pathways had been in need of a new application of breeze for several years. They were so bare that tires from bikes and carts that people drove through the area were leaving deep ruts. Parks and Rec helped by distributing the breeze into piles in the pathways. CityServe volunteers (as well as HAS volunteers) raked, leveled, and tamped it into place. This was a great project for this nice-sized group of volunteers, and we could now check off another task completed in the gardens!

Children’s Garden Redux 2024

By Nancy Taylor

HAS Trustee

During spring of 2023, a few HAS trustees started thinking about upgrading the appearance of the Children’s Garden. Several of our priority “sore-spots” had been refurbished, and things were looking good … except for the Children’s Garden.

Now the time has come. There have been field trips to Denver Botanic Gardens and even Kew in London, and studying gardens online to take a look at how they interpret spots for children to learn, to do, and to have fun.

Some may think back to 2017 when we received a grant announcement from the Colorado Garden Foundation. Our ambitious gardener Diane Brunjes decided that we had to apply for something. Originally, it was going to be a redo of the irrigation system at the Heritage Garden. But then, Diane had a better idea. She switched gears to say, “Let’s write the grant for a Children’s Garden because maybe Parks & Recs will repair the irrigation AND Colorado Springs doesn’t have a children’s garden.”

As a few months passed, our grant proposal was accepted (amazing!), and then the real work began: one of planning, raising additional donated funds, and writing the document itself.

Here is a sample of the original 2018 grant narrative:

Opening Case Statement: “The City of Colorado Springs lacks a children’s garden. HAS would like to establish a garden on our property so that children may learn about environmental issues, including sustainable plants and pollinators and stewardship of public lands.

“It seems only appropriate that HAS participate in what seems the opportune moment to offer to our city a Children’s Garden where none presently exists. … It is important to HAS, also, that this designated 2,332 square foot area also be available for handicapped individuals through the inclusion of wheelchair access, smooth walkways and ramps. for this new undertaking.

“Prioritized goals for the first season will focus mainly on the actual laying out of the garden with an emphasis on the hardscape establishment of the defined area, fencing, pathways, ramps and foundational plantings.”

Reminiscences aside, we have embarked upon a refurbishment initiative. This small special garden now looks a bit “seedy.” Storms and time have destroyed mainstay trees, and changed the quality of light. We will now choose different plantings of perennials and shrubs that will beautify and sustain a new look.

Already, new concrete block borders have been installed by Neverfales Landscaping LLC to define garden beds. We are also considering additional artwork and structures that will bring enjoyment to children, the original and continuing focus of this endeavor.

We remain grateful to our original dreamers, donors, and laborers. However, as gardens do, this area has changed, not holding up as well over time as we had hoped. We invite you to be excited again about our Children’s Garden and its renewal

We welcome your ideas and participation as we move forward in the year ahead.

Lucinda and Pat Lee from Pacific Coast
Conservation work to restore
the Lorelei statue

Photo by: Erin Eisen

Lorelei Statue Restored After Vandalism
by Erin Eisen, HAS President

2023

Early in June of this year, our beloved Lorelei in the Heritage Garden was vandalized. She was covered with vibrant yellow streaks of something that was hard to identify.

It has been an adventure trying to get her restored to her original condition. For a while, we were unable to reach the artist, Larry Terrafranca, for advice on how to proceed. Many phone calls were made to people who might know about restoration.

Upon a recommendation from the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum (which recently lost its experienced conservator), the HAS consulted with the Denver office of Pacific Coast Conservation. Lucinda Linderman came down to the Springs, and ran some tests with different solvents to try to identify the substance, as well as formulate a treatment plan.

Right before signing a contract with PCC, Larry found us. Being Lorelei‘s sculptor, he consulted other restoration friends and wanted to try what is called a Hotsy treatment (high temperature, high pressure wash). The Board took a vote and let Larry proceed on an inconspicuous area of the base of the statue.

This treatment worked, but it also started to break down the fine texture of the statue, which is carved out of limestone. The Hotsy treatment was stopped, and we proceeded with PCC.

On August 8, Lucinda and Pat Lee (who was the Pioneers Museum’s former conservator), came down and were successful with their treatment. It was fascinating to see them work and to hear how they approach this type of damage to pieces of art.

Larry was also happy with the results, which was a relief! This two-month adventure, though born out of a sad event, resulted in renewed relations with the artist, and forged new ones with folks across the city who work to make the Springs a nice place to live.

Larry and PCC will remain in contact with each other to decide on a protective coating for Lorelei.

We also want to thank our HAS members, as the funds raised from your memberships and our plant sale enable us to maintain emergency funds for dealing with situations such as these in our gardens.

The sculpture was installed and dedicated in the garden in September of 2017. It is an enlarged likeness of the popular “Lorelei” vase by Artus Van Briggle who died in 1904. The historic Van Briggle Memorial Pottery building is adjacent to the Heritage Garden.