The Sandhills Horticultural Gardens, located on the campus of Sandhills Community College, is set to expand its venue and activity space with a $75,000 grant from the Moore County Tourism Development Authority for fencing upgrades.
“We are so excited to get the grant for decorative fencing around the Ball Visitors Center and complete the chain link fencing around the gardens,” said Lee Bunch, executive director of the gardens. “We hope the work will be completed this summer.”
The grant was awarded through the Moore County Tourism Development Authority, “Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen,” formerly the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Moore County.
“Few places capture the balance of small-town charm and world-class appeal like Moore County,” said the Moore County Tourism Development Authority in the grant. “From the legacy of championship golf to vibrant arts, dining, and shopping, our community offers experiences that entice visitors from across the state and beyond. Sandhills Community College contributes to this reputation not only as a center for education, but also as a cultural destination, hosting athletics, diverse performing arts, and, most prominently, the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens.”
The Gardens are a 32-acre living museum, designed to welcome nature enthusiasts, artists, families, and event-goers alike. Visitors come daily to enjoy the walking trails, bird sanctuary, curated plant collections, sculptures, lectures, and weddings. As one of the region’s largest and most expansive public gardens, the space enriches both residents and the many guests who travel from outside Moore County to experience its charm.
“To make our Gardens a more inviting, secure, and marketable destination, Sandhills Community College is undertaking Gateway to the Gardens project,” said Bunch. “This project will install decorative and utility fencing, strategically placed gates, new doors, and a visitor counter. The decorative fencing will create a defined gateway that welcomes guests, establishes a central entry point for accurate visitation tracking, and enhances the aesthetic appeal of the property. Perimeter utility fencing will provide much-needed security and separation for the entirety of the Gardens.”
In addition to improving security and tracking, the fencing will also allow introduction to two new rentable lawn areas, together totaling more than 15,000 square feet, that can be used to host weddings, festivals, and community events. Additional gates will offer private entry for wedding processions in the Sir Walter Raleigh Garden, as well as provide convenient access for caterers and vendors throughout, strengthening the Gardens’ appeal as a premier event venue.
“With secure, clearly defined spaces, additional rentable areas, improved marketing potential, and the data to measure impact through daily visitor counts, the Gardens will be positioned to capture more destination weddings, festivals, and special events, each generating overnight stays and boosting the Moore County economy,” said Bunch. “We hope the Gardens can evolve from a cherished local treasure into a regional destination that embodies the beauty, culture, and hospitality that makes Moore County unique. There is no other horticultural garden of this magnitude in Moore County.”
The Sandhills Horticultural Gardens is free of charge, open daily, and is intentionally designed to serve multiple audiences through walking trails, curated plant collections, art installations, educational programming, and event spaces.
Learn more at: https://www.sandhills.edu/horticultural-gardens/
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Contributed article/photo.
