Something important: Thieves strike again! Springfield Botanical Gardens lose 40 plant identification signs Posted on October 23, 2013 by George Deatz Over the last couple of days thieves have stolen at least 40 plant identification signs from the Dwarf Conifer Garden at the Springfield Botanical Gardens, Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park, 2400 S. Scenic Ave. These signs were made and installed by Friends of the Garden volunteer labor. They were made using a laser engraver and are 3X5 inches, black plastic with white letters. The plant’s common and Latin name both appear along with the “Friends of the Garden” branding. At a time when we are attempting to place plant identification signs in all of the gardens this theft represents a setback in both funds and time. Time that could be used to produce public educational signs for another garden. The Dwarf Conifer Garden is a beautiful garden located along the South Creek Greenway in the southeast section of the park. Initial funding for the garden’s construction in 2010 was provided by Positronic Industries Inc. and the Gentry family. The garden is considered a “crown jewel” and is much admired by those who have seen it. Most recently Tom Cox who authored the book Landscaping with Conifers and Ginkgo for the Southeast visited the garden on October 14 and was impressed with what he saw. The value of this loss is placed at $400 and is covered by the $500 joint reward fund in place by Friends of the Garden and Master Gardeners of Greene County for a tip leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the theft. Anyone with information please contact Crime Stoppers 417.869.8477. To learn more about Friends of the Garden visit: friendsofthegarden.org.
Posted on: Thu, 24 Oct 2013 00:26:29 +0000