Our Bluff Pavilion Courtyard & Gardens
In fall 2023, we embarked on a transformational project in our Bluff Pavilion area which promises to protect the bluff and create a space of great beauty, tranquility, and ecological sustainability. The project reimagines how the area will better serve and delight our visitors, as well as conserve and beautify the Center. It resulted in a plan to remake the 4,581 sq. feet of formerly grassy space into a durable, multiple use courtyard surrounded by thoughtfully designed gardens.
The original landscaping was completed by Stone Oak Landscapes. Their initial design included a welcoming accent circle with seat wall, whose colorful backdrop provides a beautiful alternative for weddings. Three intimate niches, accented by stone seating, accompany one side of the courtyard, surrounded by lush greenery. To preserve the bluff, the courtyard’s semi-permeable stone provides a beautiful surface with great conservation value.
After the first design was created, Horizon Land Development Services spent two weeks surveying the land to ensure the courtyard meets topography and grading requirements. To provide for the greatest conservation value of the Bluff Pavilion area forest during construction, the survey marked the exact location of existing trees around the courtyard, to preserve these stately native inhabitants. It also informed the specifications needed to replace the paved trail leading from the parking lot. Reducing the grade of the incline on this trail makes the use of wheelchairs easily manageable and helps us further realize our goal of bringing nature to all people.
Conservation
The Pavilion’s courtyard has been resurfaced with locally sourced stone obtained from a quarry in Beaver Dam. Soft-hued mauve, green, and amber colors, laid in a pattern design, create a wondrous feel that complements the area’s natural aesthetic. Our Management Plan is designed to ensure that habitats of greatest conservation need are preserved during the implementation of land projects. To accomplish this, the courtyard was built to prevent erosion from stormwater runoff. The blocks are set in the ground about ¼ inch apart, creating a semi-permeable layer, and held together by a polymer sand that allows water to flow through. Underneath the stone pavers, a layer of stone will increase stormwater holding capacity. This will mitigate erosion run-off on the northeast corner of the space, preserving the health of the bluff – home to a remnant old growth forest in pre-European condition, one of the highest quality habitats on the Schlitz Audubon property – as well as the terrace below.
A charming entrance invites visitors to fully enjoy views of towering trees and native plants while strolling into the stone courtyard. We have narrowed the trail from the parking lot on the southside of the courtyard and converted the current asphalt into natural stone. The new trail includes a raised boardwalk bridge that allows water to flow to an improved drain and change the trail grade from the parking lot, making it ADA compliant.
In spring 2024, we created “The Gardens,” which surround the stone courtyard. As part of our mission to conserve our land and educate visitors about our work, our conservation team designed the flowering gardens using a diverse selection of Wisconsin plant species. The Gardens will be a fine example of regional native species landscape design that is colorful, pollinator-friendly, and inviting. The team designed the gardens for color, size, fullness, and to show flowers throughout the seasons.
Woodland habitat is represented on the south side of the courtyard, which is covered by trees. This area features Dutchman’s breeches, foam flower, Jacob’s ladder, and more. On the west side, which has characteristics of savanna habitat, we planted meadow species, including columbine, Michigan lily, and woodland phlox. Full sun conditions on the north side of the courtyard are ideal for a pollinator garden. A wide variety of insects will utilize purple milkweed, blazing star, and pale purple coneflower here. Staff and volunteers secured the habitat by installing 750 Pennsylvania sedge, a grassy sedge that will hold all the landscaping together.
Education
The surface allows for greater traffic without damaging any ground area, making it perfect for nature’s complementary aspects, including art, music, and wellness programs. Weddings are enhanced by the durable, usable space. Visitors who attend our classes, including summer camps and large-scale seasonal programs, will also benefit. This renewed space will provide an opportunity for people with specific needs, including SPARK! program participants, to enjoy more time outdoors immersed in a serene, beautiful environment.
The three niches, set on one side of the courtyard and surrounded by native plantings, will offer breakout spaces during programs for both children and adults. The sheer number of classes and range of students who will learn in this space about a variety of topics will serve our focus on education, including woodland wildlife, our great Lake Michigan, and the preservation of our bluff and terrace.
The new Bluff Pavilion Courtyard provides many sponsorship opportunities that will support our conservation fund, including trails, niches, and benches. If you are interested in learning more, please contact our Executive Director, Helen Boomsma.