Courthouse garden progresses

The hardscaping of the new Hot Springs County Courthouse native garden area is underway and should be finished by early next week.

The beautiful rocks and pavers being used have all been donated. Les Culliton, Hot Springs County Maintenance Supervisor, contacted Chad Shaffer, WYDOT Shoshoni Maintenance Supervisor, andClint Huckledt, WYDOT Area Supervisor, about this project. Both generously agreed to allow the County Courthouse redesign committee access to the WYDOT Bird’s Eye Pit between Thermopolis and Shoshoni to take rocks gathered from the landslide in Wind River canyon earlier this year to be used for the rock wall and walkway pavers.

Culliton, John Fenton and Kim Bartlett chose, loaded and transported the rocks, while John Dorman, Sr., assisted with unloading all the material at the courthouse. Culliton,Fenton and Strampe have worked tirelessly to build the rock wall and pathways for the gardens.

Additionally, JR Ramsey, manager of the newly reopened Owl Creek Quarry, offered to help with the project. He invited the redesign committee to tour the quarry, and transported additional rocks and pavers to the courthouse. With help from Dorman, Culliton, Fenton, Ramsey and Strampe placed the large stones used for the bench and pavers in the west garden. Ramsey also provided additional rocks for the rock wall, and graciously offered to pick up any unused stones. Big Horn Ready Mix donated gravel and sand for setting the stones.

Bartlett and Fenton traveled to Piney Island Native Plants in Sheridan, Wyo., and High Plains Environmental Center and Fossil Creek Nursery in Ft. Collins, Col. to purchase plants using the funds donated by the Wyoming Native Plant Society, Red Dirt Master Gardeners (RDMG) and the Hot Springs County Commissioners. They have been tending to the plants during the project and are excited to install them. Ken Averill, CEO of Aspen Tree Service, will be donating mulch to be used once the plants are placed.

This project would not be possible without the help of so many in our community.

Culliton said, “The garden started out as a curb appeal project for the courthouse. Thanks to RDMG, it grew into an educational native plant garden.” Fenton added, “I am honored to volunteer on the courthouse project and help show people the diversity and beauty of native plants.” Planting of the west garden will begin this week, with planting of the east garden to take place soon after the hardscaping of that area is concluded.

RDMG is planning a short native plant workshop to be held at the courthouse garden upon completion of the project.