A Time to Build
Nature Education Pavilion
The EntrancePlaza
The Endowment Fund
Major Gift – Iowa DNR’s REAP Fund
Matching funds – Community Attraction and Tourism Award
CentralGardens of North Iowa, Inc.
800 2nd Avenue North
P.O. Box 735
Clear Lake, IA 50428
The Board Members and volunteers of Central Gardens are excited to announce the Nature Education Pavilion (NEP). The NEP will be a two-story building providing year-round meeting spaces and shelter for use by all visitors and garden enthusiasts from throughout the region and elsewhere. While maintaining its Victorian expression and playfulness, the pavilion will now combine a number of functions: administrative office, presentation room, kitchenette, tool room, restrooms, and a "dirty" classroom/planting work area.
Located at the east end of the Ceremonial Lawn, it is one of the most prominent settings of the gardens with its upper level the highest elevation. Two large entrance patios on the north and south sides and the connecting walkway along the west side of the pavilion provide the most dramatic overviews of the entire gardens site.
When complete, it will serve as the nerve and operating center for this Clear Lake attraction.
The Donor Wall, where contributions will be noted, will be at this site. Iowa DNR REAP funds contributed $100,000. Architects, Bergland and Cram, are currently at work with design development and construction documents with a goal of receiving bids in the summer. When complete, the pavilion will serve as the hub and operating center for this Clear Lake attraction.
For information on how you can help support the Pavilion or other features, call 641-357-0700 or send your gift to Central Gardens, P.O. Box 735, Clear Lake, IA 50428.
The Nature Education Pavilion and all of the gardens and features at Central Gardens’ site
change and grow with the seasons. We hope you’ll agree that planning now for the future maintenance of the site and its amenities makes good sense.
With your permission the Board of Directors would like to designate a substantial portion of your gift to the endowment fund unless otherwise restricted.
This visionary philanthropy reduces the need for major funding in the future. Thank you for growing with us.
Our Mission
To create an intergenerational environment for the 21st century that is beautiful, safe and secure, calm and reflective, educational and recreational - a setting that tells the story of our changing seasons, our pride in our past, the uniqueness of our present, and the hope of our future.
EntrancePlaza
“Everything the Power of the World does is done in a circle. The sky is round, the Earth is round like a ball, and so are the stars. The wind in its greatest powers whirls. Birds make their nests in circles… The sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle. The moon does the same, and both are round. Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always come back again to where they were..." Black Elk
Future Plans
Draft of Proposed Plaza Design
The Entrance Plaza and Arrival Garden welcome you to the garden. Listen to the sounds of water, sit at the seat wall or bench and take in the power of nature around you. Circles have provided powerful symbols throughout all cultures throughout all time.
The courtyard, plaza, paths, terraces, and MoonGate repeat this symbol reminding us to live in balance with nature.
Developing this public garden has been a long and wonderful journey. Please join us for the next step.
Nature Education Pavilion
The Board of Directors is seeking participation from you, your friends and neighbors, to build the NEP and develop the entrance. Iowa’s Department of Natural Resources took the first step and provided a REAP Grant for a lead gift of $100,000 for the Nature Education Pavilion.
Consider a gift today! The Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) Award matches your gift of $50, $100, $1000, $10,000 or more by 22 percent.
The five commitments of Central Gardens: Beauty, Horticulture, Education, Excellence and Building the Garden.
CentralGardens of North Iowa, Inc.
800 2nd Avenue North
P.O. Box 735
Clear Lake, IA 50428
Office: 850 Hwy 18 West, Clear Lake
General Information: 641-357-0700
Be a Part of Something Beautiful!
HelpCentralGardens Grow...
Ways to give:
· Gifts of cash or assets
· Memberships
· Memorials
· Honorariums
· Gifts In-kind
· Matching Gifts
· Planned Gifts
What can you do?
Become part of building an education center for the fourth public garden in the State.
Answer the call to participate in the campaign. You may contact the office to let us know of your interest.
Make a corporate, personal or family donation. Honorariums, Memorials, and Naming Opportunities are available.
Gain a tax advantage by gifting an appreciated asset such as stocks.
Consider including Central Gardens of North Central Iowa, Inc. in your estate plans. Let us know so we can recognize your leadership.
Every gift, regardless of size, is important to reach our $1M goal. Your support is important to us. Please let us know if would like more information.