CLOCKWISE, FROM UPPER LEFT: Janet Mordecai participates in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Mordecai Children’s Garden; attendees take a peek at progress on the new Greenhouse Complex; Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper shakes hands with Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Chair J. Landis Martin; Mayor Hickenlooper meets a young constituent during the event; Denver City Council President Jeanne Robb, Gardens Chairman Jerry Ladd, Gardens CEO Brian Vogt and the mayor pose with a cornerstone for the new Greenhouse Complex.

In July, the Gardens hosted a Transformation Celebration to mark a significant milestone in its history – the official dedication and groundbreaking ceremony for 10 new projects that were either underway or completed during the year:

• Mordecai Children’s Garden • Offshoots at the Gardens • Parking Structure and Colorado Garden Show Promenade

(new café)

• Bonfi ls-Stanton Visitor Center • Welcome Garden

• Lainie’s Cutting Garden • Le Potager Garden

• Darlene Radichel Plant Select® • Schlessman Fragrance Garden • Greenhouse Complex

Nearly 800 invited guests attended the celebration, which featured artfully presented food, beverages and live entertainment. Guests included Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, Denver city council members and Colorado legislators.

Garden

The Gardens celebrated many long-term relationships at the Transformation Celebration:

• During the opening of the Bonfils-Stanton Visitor Center, Mayor John Hickenlooper and Bonfi ls-Stanton Foundation Chair J. Landis Martin performed a ceremonial “switching on” of the solar panels provided by corporate partner Vibrant Solar.

• A new water lily, Nymphaea ‘Bea Taplin’, named for Life Trustee Bea Taplin, was unveiled during the event.

• Ongoing recognition of the commitment by the Gardens’ Pioneers – long-time advocates and volunteers of the institution – was initiated with digital documentation of their perspectives of the early years at the Gardens.

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