By the end of the summer, a long-standing problem area beside the downtown branch of the city's public library will be unrecognizable.
And with the creation of their Knowledge Garden now out to tender, Prince George Public Library staff are prepping to roll out a fundraising effort to make the garden grow.
"It's important the public feels involved," said library communications co-ordinator Andrea Palmer.
Palmer is leading the construction of a large cardboard tree which should be set up in the library next week for supporters to make green with the purchase of $2 leaves.
"Right now it's going to be winter and stark but eventually we're hoping it will be lush with foliage," she said.
Two years in the making, the $178,000 Knowledge Garden project still has to make up approximately $90,000 in funds, with naming rights still up for grabs.
There will be numerous opportunities for all kinds of smaller legacy and donor recognition projects once the garden is built, but the base has to be in place first.
Designed by landscape architect Jay Lazzarin, the garden will be located on the northeast side of the Bob Harkins branch, adjacent to the Civic Centre. The gated space will feature 330 new plants and shrubs and all the existing trees, except for one.
A concrete footpath will curve through the variety of fauna, with the only grass featured in a sloped semi-circle amphitheatre space Wilson calls an homage to the much-loved story garden which used to be located in the former library location on Brunswick Street, which is now the Senior Activity Centre.
But creating the space isn't as easy as planting a few seeds and laying down some grass, chief librarian Allan Wilson explained, noting the power grid under the garden area.
"We cannot dig deeper than seven feet without hitting power or sewer lines," he said.
The logistics of the construction are up to whichever contractor is successful with the bid - which closes Friday - but the garden is scheduled to be complete by mid-July. This will allow the necessary time for plants and to settle and accessories such as benches to be added in time for the 2015 Canada Winter Games.
Traditionally a problem area for drugs and crime, occupying the space between the library and Civic Centre made more sense than clear cutting it, Wilson said.
While the garden won't technically be staffed, Palmer explained, it will be gated, maintained and the site of outdoor library programming.
She would also like to see it used as a spot for lunchtime entertainment, such as a speaker series.
"We have Fort George Park, which is a bit of hike for people working wanting to walk somewhere. We also have the new Duchess Park which is a great spot for kids," Palmer said. "I feel like having even this small reading garden will be such an addition to the available greenspace in downtown Prince George."
The garden will also be available for rental for special events, such as weddings, Wilson added.
