Garvan Woodland Gardens closes to public
Garvan Woodland Gardens on Tuesday became the latest attraction in Hot Springs to temporarily close its doors due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The botanical garden had remained open over the past few weeks, but with indoor facilities other than restrooms closed.
“We were getting into a rhythm, things were going well, but we didn’t want to press that,” Executive Director Bob Bledsoe said.
COVID-19 “is a big deal, and we need to respond to it accordingly,” he said.
The facility is part of the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas. Michelle Parks, director of communications, said the decision to close was made for the safety of those involved, and to continue the University of Arkansas’ efforts against the coronavirus.
“Up in Fayetteville they had transitioned to online” and “staff was remotely working,” Parks said. Closing the garden is “kind of keeping in line with everything else.”
While Garvan Gardens is closed to the public, Parks said their employees will continue to work. “It’s a living place, so the workers are still there,” she said.
The workers, which Parks said will keep a safe distance from each other, are working on projects such as planting summer plants, removing weeds and working on diseased trees. She also noted closing the gardens allows the staff time to get to “back-burner projects” they don’t normally have time for.
A news release, which Bledsoe said was compiled by Dean Peter MacKeith, said the staff will “continue to maintain the 210 acres of beautiful woodland gardens while providing resources to connect the public virtually with the garden and the natural world. Please stay tuned to the website for updates on future remote programming, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for current views of our woodland gardens.”
“Garvan Woodland Gardens remains committed to providing public access to this special garden and its unique programs, via virtual means in the current circumstances, and we will reopen as soon as that is practical. We look forward to seeing our valued visitors, members, and volunteers again in the future,” it said.