We've come a long way since Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens was founded in 1991. It was just over 10 years ago that our seven founders and others committed to their vision selected and purchased our original 128-acre waterfront property, and in the process saved it from becoming a housing subdivision. Then, in 2005, we received the incredible gift of an adjacent 120 acres from the Pine Tree Conservation Society. Now, with 248 acres, we're the largest botanical garden in New England; and not only are we one of the only gardens in the nation on tidal waterfront; we have nearly a mile of it!
After years of planning and preparation, in the space of the past several years we've transformed what was solely a salt-water forest into a spectacular botanical garden. A great deal of the property remains in the kind of pristine woodland that only Maine can produce. However, the acres that have been turned into the main campus with its Visitor Center and Central Gardens, as well as outlying areas (the Rhododendron & Perennial Garden and Shoreland Garden of Native Plants, among them) are what visitors initially come to see. As they traverse the Entry Drive and meander along our trails, they realize the enormity of this property and the scope of the project.
Growing Gardens
But what's next? As any great garden should, we'll grow. On a basic level, the good-sized specimens we've planted throughout our gardens will continue to mature. We'll add additional plants, as well, and put the greenhouse that was donated to us in 2006 to good use.
In a few years, we'll open our phenomenal Garden of the Five Senses and Children's Garden. Thanks to careful planning and master plans by landscape architect Herb Schaal, FASLA and his team at EDAW, both will be finestkind, as we say here in Maine, and are sure to become favorites with visitors of all ages.
Looking Forward
After completing the Children's Garden and Garden of the Five Senses, we'll extend the Shoreland Trail past the Meditation Garden into the new property so it eventually traverses nearly a mile of waterfront. Eventually, we expect to add a couple of buildings - one for administrative offices when we outgrow our current location in one corner of the Visitor Center, and another beyond the Events Lawn to be used for catered functions.
Watch our progress as you visit the Gardens over the coming years. You'll see plenty of changes. And the reason for every one of them will be to help make our visitors' experiences at the Gardens more enjoyable and rewarding, educational and inspiring.