Full Book Draft 3

3

12

1 Nature Garden Trailhead; 2 Nature Garden; 3 Hiking Trails

NATIVE HILLSIDE

Nature Garden and Hiking Trails
Originating at the Nature Center, a series of hiking trails extend into the Nature Garden set within the existing woodlands
east of the Core Gardens. Native woodland plants supplement and enhance the natural vegetation on the hillside, though
the planting design is organic. Numerous mountain longleafs are established in favorable locations.
The trail system navigates much of the property’s hillside, and the longer trail loops offer a unique recreational
opportunity for garden visitors. These trails supplement the existing Cultural District trail system, and together the
network accommodates trail running events or similar organized recreational activities.

40

1
1

1

3
1

1 Adventure Woodlands Pods; 2 Tree House; 3 Zip Line 1
2

41

Adventure Woodlands
The Adventure Woodlands focus on reducing the “Nature Deficit Disorder” experienced by many children in today’s
world. The imaginative area emphasizes creative outdoor play and experiencing the wonders of nature.
A series of activity nodes serve as waypoints along a trail that loops through the existing woodlands. Each node contains
a fun and interactive activity. Children can crawl through the Stump Tunnel, build a Survivor Shelter using primitive
construction techniques, discover different bugs at the Insect Dig, navigate the Wood Plank Bridges over leaf-filled “lava
pits”, and climb to the top of Log Mountain.
A treehouse perched among the hillside treetops provides panoramas of the Garden and serves as the launching point
for the 600-foot long zip line. This popular activity sends visitors careening through the woodland canopy and offers
an exceptional perspective of the forest. Tickets to this specialized activity are purchased in addition to general garden
admission, and the revenue generated supplements general ticket sales.

2
3

1
4

1 Native Plant Garden; 2 Fern Glade: 3 Woodland Hollow Walk; 4 Existing Pavilion

42

NATIVE HOLLOW

Native Plant Garden and Pavilion
Two natural rills on the wooded hillside along the Entry Drive provide a framework for the Native Plant Garden. Sweeping
masses of flowering understory plants and ferns showcase woodland species native to Northern Alabama. The planting
design is more structured, which distinguishes the space from the Nature Garden. The existing Pavilion at the top of the
hillside is renovated to host small gatherings or picnics, and it provides restrooms for this area of the Garden.

A garden path winds down the hillside through the planting, and several footbridges cross the existing rills. Masses
of native evergreens buffer views of the Entry Drive and service access path from within the garden. A trail extension
leading southwest serves as an egress point for visitors wishing to access the Cultural District trail system.

Fern Glade
At the Fern Glade, light permeates through a clearing in the tree canopy and highlights the convergence of the natural
rills. A stone seating plaza borders a circular pool, and visitors rest beneath a small arbor. This seating area offers a
contemplative view of the Native Plant Garden, and is a welcome respite along the hillside trail.

* The Native Hollow area is outside of the secured ticketing area of LBG. Because it is isolated from the rest of the
Garden by the existing roadway and parking, controlled access to the area was concluded to be a logistical concern. It
was determined that signage near the access point would instruct visitors to purchase tickets at the Visitor Center prior
to accessing the Native Plant Garden, and that the “honor system” would be employed. Garden staff working in the area
would also monitor visitors when possible.

SIGNAGE

Overview
Signage for the Garden should be approached holistically to ensure a consistent and intuitive message. The graphic
identity should be developed in conjunction with other Garden and Cultural District branding efforts to ensure aesthetic
consistency, and a signage package identifying sizes, locations, font types, and materials should then be developed prior
to implementation. These measures ensure signage is graphically consistent, intuitively located, and appropriately sized
throughout LBG.

Directional and Wayfinding Signage
Directional and wayfinding signage within the Garden is simple, clear, and concise. For vehicular applications, signs are
large enough to be seen while driving but located in areas that don’t obstruct key views. For pedestrian applications,
sign sizes are diminished but placed at key intersections to prevent disorientation within the Garden.

Interpretive Signage
Interpretive signage accompanies most garden spaces within LBG, and their content is developed in conjunction with
the garden design. However, signage density is considered when developing the interpretive signage package for
each garden space. The Core Gardens feature fewer signs to minimize visual clutter in these ornamental spaces, while
education-focused gardens such as the Demonstration Greenhouses, Ecological Garden, and Adventure Woodlands
contain a higher density of signage.

43

CULTURAL DISTRICT CONNECTIONS

LBG’s adjacency to the Berman Museum, the Anniston Museum of Natural History (AMNH), and Jaycee Park creates
a dynamic group of cultural institutions. These entities also fall within the same managing department of the City of
Anniston. These connections, as well as the shared access road and existing trail network through the properties, only
strengthen their association with one another, and the cluster was unofficially labeled as the “Anniston Cultural District”
during the master planning
The LBG Foundation Board and design team determined it was critical to consider both physical and organizational
connections to these partners. Joint programming, marketing partnerships, and even common branding for the collective
were discussed. The master planning subsequently expanded its scope to consider these connections as well.
New signage, planting, and specialty paving signify the entrance to the Cultural District at the intersection of Regar
Circle with McClellan Boulevard (Hwy 21). Enhanced native plantings border the roadway and create a cohesive and bold
aesthetic. New trails expand the existing network and provide a complete recreational experience, while connections to
LBG, the Berman, AMNH, and Jaycee Park ensure uninterrupted access between the institutions. Future trail connections
to the Chief Ladiga Trail and the Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge extend the District’s recreational access.

44

20 3
22 8

2

5 21

4

18 13 4 8
19 9 8

9

12
11

11 9
15
13
12
10
12

17 10 13
16 11 12 9
10

14 12

See Garden Enlargement CULTURAL
DISTRICT
1 6 6
16 CONNECTIONS
13 See Garden Enlargement
9 Primary Garden Entry 1
7 Berman Museum Entry 2

Berman Museum 3
Trail Connection to AMNH 4
Anniston Museum of Natural History 5
Botanical Garden Access Point 6
Future Trail Connection to Mountain 7

Longleaf NWR
Existing Parking 8
Detailed Planting at Trail Node 9

Trail Crossing 10
Native Plantings along Entry Drive 11

Existing Cultural District Trail 12
(Enhanced)

Proposed Cultural District Trail 13
Extension

Trail Connection to Jaycee Park 14
Existing Trail 15

Existing Pond 16
Existing Playground 17
Detailed Planting at Cultural District 18

Entry
Cultural District Entry Sign 19
Future Trail Connection to Chief 20

LaDiga Trail
Existing AMNH Wildlife Garden 21
Existing AMNH Bird of Prey Trail 22

SCALE: 1” = 200’-0”

0 100 200 400



OPINION OF PROBABLE COST

OVERVIEW

The Opinion of Probable Cost (OPC) is based upon the 2016 Master Plan as shown and
described in this document, and the material cost basis for individual items are from the
time of the Master Plan’s development. The costs are intended as an approximate range
and should not be considered the final costs for completing the project. It is recommended
that OPCs be developed during each subsequent design phase to ensure accuracy as the
projects progress.

EXCLUSIONS

Costs for art, sculpture, and other similar exhibits have not been included in this OPC, as
the range for such works vary significantly. Escalation costs have also been excluded due
to the unknown development time frame for each Garden Area. However, an increase of
0.5% per month can be calculated for estimating escalation costs.

GARDEN AREA HARD COSTS SOFT COSTS TOTAL COST

Entry Drive and Hillside Garden $ 552,480 $ 176,800 $ 729,280
Main Parking and Drop-Off $ 677,660 $ 216,850 $ 894,510
Arrival Garden $ 321,560 $ 102,890 $ 424,450
Visitor Center and Nature Center $ 3,759,360 $ 1,202,990 $ 4,962,350
Education Center and Service Drive $ 345,960 $ 110,710 $ 456,670
Parterre Garden $ 278,640 $ 89,160 $ 367,800
Kitchen Garden $ 960,090 $ 307,220 $ 1,267,310
Event Terrace $ 217,690 $ 69,660 $ 287,350
Dichotomy Gardens $ 464,450 $ 148,620 $ 613,070
Longleaf Slope $ 196,330 $ 62,820 $ 259,150
Event Parking $ 616,210 $ 197,190 $ 813,400
Ecological Garden and Bog Garden $ 375,990 $ 120,310 $ 496,300
Demonstration Greenhouses and Desert Garden $ 684,090 $ 218,910 $ 903,000
Longleaf Meadow, Event Lawn, and Pavilion $ 1,064,200 $ 340,540 $ 1,404,740
Adventure Woodlands $ 588,310 $ 188,260 $ 776,570
Nature Garden and Hiking Trails $ 107,310 $ 34,330 $ 141,640
Native Plant Garden and Fern Glade $ 526,740 $ 168,560 $ 695,300
Service Facility and Screening $ 1,434,200 $ 458,950 $ 1,893,150
Directional and Interpretive Signage (Allowance) $ 378,750 $ 121,250 $ 500,000

TOTAL COSTS $ 13,550,020 $ 4,336,020 $17,886,040

47

ENTRY DRIVE and Site Preparation and Infrastructure $ 44,300
HILLSIDE GARDEN Structures $ 25,000
Hardscape $ 148,760
Landscape $ 265,920
Amenities and Site Furnishings $ 68,500

Total Hard Costs $ 552,480
Total Soft Costs (Design Fees, Contingency, Endowment) $ 176,800

ENTRY DRIVE and HILLSIDE GARDEN GRAND TOTAL $ 729,280

MAIN PARKING and Site Preparation and Infrastructure $ 78,260
DROP-OFF Hardscape $ 386,420
Landscape $ 133,980
Amenities and Site Furnishings $ 79,000

Total Hard Costs $ 677,660
Total Soft Costs (Design Fees, Contingency, Endowment) $ 216,850

MAIN PARKING and DROP-OFF GRAND TOTAL $ 894,510

ARRIVAL GARDEN Site Preparation and Infrastructure $ 24,870
Hardscape $ 98,860
Landscape $ 162,830
Amenities and Site Furnishings $ 35,000

Total Hard Costs $ 321,560
Total Soft Costs (Design Fees, Contingency, Endowment) $ 102,890

ARRIVAL GARDEN GRAND TOTAL $ 424,450

48

VISITOR CENTER Site Preparation and Infrastructure $ 80,480
and NATURE Structures $ 3,577,000
CENTER Hardscape $ 22,130
Landscape $ 79,750

Total Hard Costs $ 3,759,360
Total Soft Costs (Design Fees, Contingency, Endowment) $ 1,202,990

VISITOR CENTER and NATURE CENTER GRAND TOTAL $ 4,962,350

EDUCATION Site Preparation and Infrastructure $ 14,280
CENTER and Structures $ 247,750
SERVICE DRIVE Hardscape $ 69,800
Landscape $ 9,130
Amenities and Site Furnishings $ 5,000

Total Hard Costs $ 345,960
Total Soft Costs (Design Fees, Contingency, Endowment) $ 110,710

EDUCATION CENTER and SERVICE DRIVE GRAND TOTAL $ 456,670

PARTERRE Site Preparation and Infrastructure $ 32,080
GARDEN Hardscape $ 129,590
Landscape $ 65,470
Amenities and Site Furnishings $ 51,500

Total Hard Costs $ 278,640
Total Soft Costs (Design Fees, Contingency, Endowment) $ 89,160

PARTERRE GARDEN GRAND TOTAL $ 367,800

49

KITCHEN GARDEN Site Preparation and Infrastructure $ 68,270
Structures $ 400,000
Hardscape $ 337,680
Landscape $ 97,640
Amenities and Site Furnishings $ 56,500

Total Hard Costs $ 960,090
Total Soft Costs (Design Fees, Contingency, Endowment) $ 307,220

KITCHEN GARDEN GRAND TOTAL $ 1,267,310

EVENT TERRACE Site Preparation and Infrastructure $ 22,190
Structures $ 18,000
Hardscape $ 51,880
Landscape $ 105,620
Amenities and Site Furnishings $ 20,000

Total Hard Costs $ 217,690
Total Soft Costs (Design Fees, Contingency, Endowment) $ 69,660

EVENT TERRACE GRAND TOTAL $ 287,350

DICHOTOMY Site Preparation and Infrastructure $ 51,260
GARDENS Structures $ 25,000
Hardscape $ 91,680
Landscape $ 234,510
Amenities and Site Furnishings $ 62,000

Total Hard Costs $ 464,450
Total Soft Costs (Design Fees, Contingency, Endowment) $ 148,620

DICHOTOMY GARDENS GRAND TOTAL $ 613,070

50

LONGLEAF SLOPE Site Preparation and Infrastructure $ 32,890
Hardscape $ 64,180
Landscape $ 79,760
Amenities and Site Furnishings $ 19,500

Total Hard Costs $ 196,330
Total Soft Costs (Design Fees, Contingency, Endowment) $ 62,820

LONGLEAF SLOPE GRAND TOTAL $ 259,150

EVENT PARKING Site Preparation and Infrastructure $ 107,460
Structures $ 25,000
Hardscape $ 312,970
Landscape $ 115,780
Amenities and Site Furnishings $ 55,000

Total Hard Costs $ 616,210
Total Soft Costs (Design Fees, Contingency, Endowment) $ 197,190

EVENT PARKING GRAND TOTAL $ 813,400

ECOLOGICAL Site Preparation and Infrastructure $ 19,580
GARDEN and BOG Hardscape $ 179,400
Landscape $ 167,010
GARDEN Amenities and Site Furnishings $ 10,000

Total Hard Costs $ 375,990
Total Soft Costs (Design Fees, Contingency, Endowment) $ 120,310

ECOLOGICAL GARDEN and BOG GARDEN GRAND TOTAL $ 496,300

51

DEMONSTRATION Site Preparation and Infrastructure $ 63,600
GREENHOUSES Structures $ 430,450
and DESERT Hardscape $ 104,480
GARDEN Landscape $ 51,060
Amenities and Site Furnishings $ 34,500

Total Hard Costs $ 684,090
Total Soft Costs (Design Fees, Contingency, Endowment) $ 218,910

DEMONSTRATION GREENHOUSES and DESERT GARDEN GRAND TOTAL $ 903,000

LONGLEAF Site Preparation and Infrastructure $ 81,150
MEADOW, EVENT Structures $ 750,000
Hardscape $ 122,170
LAWN, and Landscape $ 67,380
PAVILION Amenities and Site Furnishings $ 43,500

Total Hard Costs $ 1,064,200
Total Soft Costs (Design Fees, Contingency, Endowment) $ 340,540

LONGLEAF MEADOW, EVENT LAWN, and PAVILION GRAND TOTAL $ 1,404,740

ADVENTURE Site Preparation and Infrastructure $ 53,420
WOODLANDS Structures $ 134,000
Hardscape $ 139,800
Landscape $ 182,090
Amenities and Site Furnishings $ 79,000

Total Hard Costs $ 588,310
Total Soft Costs (Design Fees, Contingency, Endowment) $ 188,260

ADVENTURE WOODLANDS GRAND TOTAL $ 776,570

52

NATURE GARDEN Site Preparation and Infrastructure $ 20,230
and HIKING TRAILS Hardscape $ 20,670
Landscape $ 62,410
Amenities and Site Furnishings $ 4,000

Total Hard Costs $ 107,310
Total Soft Costs (Design Fees, Contingency, Endowment) $ 34,330

NATURE GARDEN and HIKING TRAILS GRAND TOTAL $ 141,640

NATIVE PLANT Site Preparation and Infrastructure $ 42,790
GARDEN and FERN Structures $ 24,900
Hardscape $ 200,950
GLADE Landscape $ 213,600
Amenities and Site Furnishings $ 44,500

Total Hard Costs $ 526,740
Total Soft Costs (Design Fees, Contingency, Endowment) $ 168,560

NATIVE PLANT GARDEN and FERN GLADE GRAND TOTAL $ 695,300

SERVICE FACILITY Site Preparation and Infrastructure $ 96,230
and SCREENING Structures $ 951,000
Hardscape $ 343,970
Landscape $ 28,000
Amenities and Site Furnishings $ 15,000

Total Hard Costs $ 1,434,200
Total Soft Costs (Design Fees, Contingency, Endowment) $ 458,950

SERVICE FACILITY and SCREENING GRAND TOTAL $ 1,893,150

53

DIRECTIONAL and Total Hard Costs Allowance $ 378,750
INTERPRETIVE 121,250
SIGNAGE Total Soft Costs Allowance (Design Fees, Contingency, Endowment) $

DIRECTIONAL and INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE GRAND TOTAL $ 500,000

54

DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND FUNDING

LBG is currently owned, operated, and funded by the City of Anniston, through the City Manager’s
office. The Garden, the Berman, and AMNH are directly overseen by the Anniston Museums Executive
Director (Alan Robison), and each institution has a 501c3 foundation for private fundraising. The
Board of Directors for each foundation advises the Anniston Museum Executive Director on needs,
development decisions, and other operational matters.
The City appropriates a set amount of funding each year for the Anniston Museums, and the it
determines the funding distribution between each entity. Of the three institutions, LBG currently
receives the least amount of funding, but the City indicated that additional support could be given
if the Garden begins to grow. Revenue generated by each Cultural District institution is recorded
separately, though the funds are consolidated into one account controlled by the City Manager.
Given the Garden’s current funding base and its limitations on controlling those funds, most
development will likely happen through fundraising by the LBG Foundation. Funds raised by the
Foundation can be donated to the City with terms for their use, which allows the Foundation to
have more control over garden development. The City Council would still have to approve any
development projects for which the donated funds are used, but the City has indicated the approval
is more of a formality since the funds are not City-generated.

MAINTENANCE, OPERATIONS, AND ENDOWMENT

Particular consideration should be given to maintenance and operation funding during garden
development projects. The Garden’s growth should never exceed its ability to support the spaces,
or the quality of the Garden will begin to diminish.
A Garden Endowment should be a major portion of the initial fundraising, and funding for each
subsequent project should include a percentage of funds dedicated to growing the endowment’s
principal. This ensures that maintenance and operational support grows proportionately to the
Garden.

55

FUNDRAISING STRATEGIES

Several approaches to private fundraising were identified during the master planning process, but it is recommended
that one of the initial steps to growing LBG is to hire a Development Director. This individual would outline a formal
development plan, identify major private donors, and coordinate public partnerships. Their initial work should target the
implementation and operation of a Pilot Project, and this Pilot Project should include facilities that perpetuate revenue
generation.

Specific fundraising approaches identified and discussed during master planning include:

Special Events Weddings, concerts, festivals, and other events held at LBG are essential revenue
Garden Gifts opportunities. These events generate additional membership, admissions, and
concession opportunities, and they kindle repeat visitation. Merchandise sales are
Memorial Gifts and also increased during these events.
Naming
This program accommodates the donation of specific items essential for the
Membership Levels maintenance and operation of the Garden. Smaller donations purchase gloves, pruning
shears, and other tools, while larger donations may cover service vehicles or a seasonal
Grant Funding planting installation in a garden space.

Corporate Sponsorships Benches, seasonal plantings, arbors, and art, all present naming opportunities within
LBG. Entire gardens spaces could also be memorialized for donations of a certain size.
Trees may also be memorialized, but caution must be taken in these situations because
of a tree’s unknown lifespan.

Many institutions have multiple membership levels with varying benefits. Research
indicated that garden memberships generally range from $25 for individual memberships
to $2,500 for corporate memberships. Benefits range from free admission, gift shop
discounts, member-only events, special exhibit passes, or educational programming
discounts. Membership reciprocity with other botanical gardens is another popular
benefit.

One of the continued responsibilities for the Development Director would be the
identification of grant funding opportunities. Given the Garden’s educational and
institutional partnerships, many grant sources should be available for application.
LBG’s commitment to recreational activities may also allow access to certain healthcare
grants targeting healthy lifestyles and well-being.

Many local, regional, and national companies dedicate funds for sponsorships. Several
major opportunities exist in the region, including the Alabama Power, Eastman, the
Civilian Marksmanship Program, Lowes (foundation for plant donations), Home Depot
(headquarters in Atlanta), and Talladega Superspeedway.

56

LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS

Partnerships with local organizations can help grow support for the Garden within the community, and they can provide
other valuable resources to the Garden. Several potential partners were identified during master planning:

Jacksonville State JSU and Gadsden State Community college are both located within ten miles of LBG,
University and and the Garden provides excellent educational partnership opportunities through
Gadsden State internships, work study programs, or research projects. LBG can also reach out to
their many student organizations for volunteer opportunities.
Community College
Running / Cycling Recreational activities such as hiking, biking, and running have become popular in the
Community region, and local groups could utilize the Cultural District’s trail network for casual
or organized events. The Nature Center’s connection to the trail network and ample
Artists parking makes it a prime trailhead candidate. The Garden’s facilities also allow it to
serve as the start/finish location for organized races.
Local Charitable
Organizations Additionally, local municipalities are beginning to prioritize alternative transportation
methods, including the City of Anniston, who adopted the Anniston Area Bicycle/
City and County Schools Pedestrian Program Integration. Given the trail connections proposed by the Master
Plan, separate funding for pathway implementation may be available through these
Fort McClellan resources.

LBG and its facilities are a great platform for local artists to showcase their work, and
the Garden is also a perfect subject matter for many professional and amateur artists.
Traveling art exhibitions such as “Big Bugs” or “Chihuly in the Garden” are extremely
popular and draw visitors who may not otherwise visit.

Members of these service groups include local business and municipal leaders, and
they continuously time and money to worthy service projects. Anniston supports
two separate Rotary clubs, and neighboring cities have chapters as well. Kiwanis is
another prominent group. Their clubs generally focus on child-oriented initiatives, and
their involvement in the Adventure Woodlands or Demonstration Greenhouses may be
a possibility.

Thousands of students attend the area’s City and County schools, and the new State
of Alabama science curriculum requires hands-on activities. Partnerships with the
school systems could incorporate Garden programs and field trips into the standard
curriculum to fulfill these requirements. The Anniston City Schools’ headquarters are
only a mile north of LBG, and the Calhoun County Board of Education headquarters
are across McClellan Boulevard from the Cultural District entry.

57

Mountain Longleaf 9,000 acres of forested land in the heart of Fort McClellan are dedicated to the Mountain
National Wildlife Refuge Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge, home to some of the last mountain longleaf pine
specimen. Preservation and reforestation efforts are ongoing in the Refuge, and the
Adjacent Municipalities experienced parties involved in those activities could assist LBG in similar efforts.

Other Nonprofit The preserve was established in 2003, and because the Refuge is still relatively young,
Organizations no facilities are currently available for visitors. It was revealed during the master
planning that a Memorandum of Understanding between LBG and the Refuge could
establish the Garden facilities as the official “Visitor Center” for the Refuge. This formal
relationship presents an opportunity for increased visitation, and it opens the door to
additional Federal funding sources.

A major goal for the LBG Foundation Board is to ensure the Garden is an asset to
the region, not just the City of Anniston. Establishing and maintaining relationships
with other regional municipalities is critical to meeting this objective. The City of
Jacksonville and the City of Oxford are both within 15 miles of LBG, and they have
large populations that will see quality of life benefits from the Garden. They may
be willing to support development efforts, and the same is true for the neighboring
counties.

Most nonprofit organizations offer grants or scholarships that could benefit LBG, and
the Development Director should consider these groups when identifying funding
opportunities. Established nonprofit groups may also be able to provide insight on
other fundraising sources and strategies.

58

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

CITY OF ANNISTON, ALABAMA


LONGLEAF BOTANICAL GARDEN BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Robert Downing

Susan Gibbins
Art Moore

Rod Nowlin
Patricia Patty
Brenda Roberts

Julia Segars
Sarah Sloan
Arthur Toole

OTHERS
Hayes Jackson, LBG Executive Director

Cheryl Heine, LBG Foreperson

www.carbo-LA.com