$5M renovation to blossom at Bickelhaupt Arboretum

CLINTON, Iowa – The Bickelhaupt Arboretum – a 14-acre “cherished centerpiece” in this community –  will soon get a new education and event center to accompany the array of plants and wildlife on display at the facility. Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) hosted a ground-breaking ceremony Thursday morning, May 1, at the arboretum, located at […]

CLINTON, Iowa – The Bickelhaupt Arboretum – a 14-acre “cherished centerpiece” in this community –  will soon get a new education and event center to accompany the array of plants and wildlife on display at the facility. Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) hosted a ground-breaking ceremony Thursday morning, May 1, at the arboretum, located at 340 S. 14th St., to celebrate the start of a $5 million renovation of the facility. If all goes according to schedule, the former Bickelhaupt family home at the arboretum will be transformed into a state-of-the-art center that hosts enhanced hands-on learning, community engagement, and environmental appreciation events. It is expected to be completed by late November.

“This is an amazing place with an amazing history," said Brian Kelly, Clinton Community College president, in a news release. "This next act of the arboretum will provide a new place to gather and learn in our community while celebrating nature and art."  Here are some of the planned features in the education and event center: 

• 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 EICC and the Clinton Community College Paul B. Sharar Foundation in 2014 to expand its educational mission.   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. Once the renovation is complete, credit and non-credit courses will be held in the education center, and conferences, parties, class reunions, and weddings can be held in the events center.  A variety of community education classes are being planned as well, according to information from EICC. “The major renovations happening at the Bickelhaupt Arboretum reflect generations of planning along with environmental and financial stewardship," Shawn Hill-Lamb, granddaughter of Bob and Frances Bickelhaupt, and daughter of Francie B. Hill, former director of the Bickelhaupt Arboretum, said in the release. Ms. Hill-Lamb added: “Our family is ever so proud of the Bickelhaupt Arboretum and its supporters for joining Clinton Community College to usher in this new span of growth. We honor the past while embracing the future and move forward with the founding principles of conservation, education, and community service that have always guided this special place. We encourage Iowa and regional residents, lifelong learners, and travelers through Iowa to visit Clinton's treasure, the Bickelhaupt Arboretum. Come watch us grow.” Ann Eisenman, Clinton Community College’s assistant to the president and foundation director, added: “This renovation is about honoring the past while building for the future. The arboretum has always been a place of learning and connection, and these updates will make it an even more inviting space for education, community events, and nature appreciation,” she said in the release.   The project’s architect is Greg Gowey of Studio 483, Rock Island and Davenport, and Clinton Engineering is the construction manager. Other vendors include: JT Concrete Contractors, IMEG, Carr Engineering, and Klingner & Associates. Gabi Torres is the art curator and Hot Glass, Inc., Davenport, is creating and installing the blown glass in-floor artwork in the new events center. Clinton community leaders say they are looking forward to the Bickelhaupt getting a new life and new uses. “The Bickelhaupt Arboretum … is our community's cherished centerpiece. Beyond its stunning landscape and vibrant array of flowers, the arboretum serves as a welcoming gateway for both residents and visitors alike,” Andy Sokolovich, president and CEO of Grow Clinton, told the QCBJ. “The recent renovation project — transforming a former residence into a new event space — marks an exciting milestone. This space will enhance the arboretum's offerings and help ensure Clinton continues to make a lasting, positive impression.”