CLINTON, Iowa – The Bickelhaupt Arboretum in this community is ready for its next big chapter.
A $5 million renovation of the 14-acre facility was recently completed, and a public ribbon-cutting celebration has been set.
The opening ceremony will be at 10 a.m. Friday, May 1, at 340 S. 14th St. The event will commemorate the completion of improvements and officially reopen the space as a hub for education, nature, and community gatherings.
The updated and renovated Bickelhaupt Arboretum includes:
- The new Events Center portion will have a large area, offering a variety of seating options. The 2,033-square-foot room features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the outdoor deck and the arboretum.
- A deck with railing will be outside the Events Center. At 2,200 square feet, the composite deck features sweeping views of the arboretum landscape with seating for up to 100.
- There will be an art installation in the pool footprint, and a feature of the Gathering Room. Artwork will be installed in the floor of the Events Center with special lighting, and covered with clear plexiglass, creating a unique environment for family gatherings, special events, and conferences.
- Learning Center rooms will span 1,242 and 800 square feet of learning environment including a library.
- The Gazebo will be a gathering place addition to the Bickelhaupt Arboretum landscape.
- A Welcome Pavilion will be the entry point to the Bickelhaupt Arboretum from the parking lot. This open-air structure will provide a respite from the rain, and a place for learning materials.
- The Gathering Place is the first stop upon entry through the Welcome Pavilion. Accessible pathway, benches and shade are a place to experience the sight and sounds of the arboretum.
- The Animal Tunnel is a walk through nature. Take a peek in the portholes, looking high and low, to see animals in their native habitats. This space will be a hit for lifelong learners of all ages.
Founded in 1970 by Robert and Frances Bickelhaupt, the arboretum has long been a hub for conservation education, showcasing more than 2,000 plants. It has a collection of hundreds of diverse trees, a nationally recognized hosta glade, diverse conifer collection, and vibrant pollinator gardens.
Originally a private residence, the arboretum was donated by the Bickelhaupt family to Eastern Iowa Community Colleges. For the past several years, the Bickelhaupt has been used for many educational and community purposes. For example, college students have explored the arboretum; younger students from throughout Clinton County attended the “No Child Left Inside” program there; and Summer River City Municipal Band concerts and the annual Arts at the Arb have held events at the facility. It also has drawn visitors from garden clubs, book clubs, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts troops.
