Two projects named for northern Colorado community visionaries and philanthropists, Bob and Joyce Everitt, were officially dedicated on July 31, 2019 at the Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Avenue.
The Gardens on Spring Creek’s new stage will now honor the couple’s service to the community through its name, the Everitt Pavilion. In addition, their likeness and presence with The Gardens via a life-size bronze sculpture was unveiled to face the Pavilion into perpetuity. The sculpture was designed and created by world renowned sculptor, George Lundeen and his team at Lundeen Studios.
Everitt family members, donors, volunteers, and key community members were on hand at the dedication to celebrate the naming of the Everitt Pavilion and unveiling of the sculpture. The Everitt Legacy Fund steering committee members, Randy Morgan, Jessica MacMillan, Mary Zenzen, Tom Livingston, Wes Sargent, and Mike Pierce worked with Gardens Director, Michelle Provaznik to raise money for the project.
The Community Foundation of Northern Colorado opened and managed the Everitt Legacy Fund. Bob Everitt, who passed in 2016, was a founder of the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado and a recipient of its Founders Award in 2008. Over 70 donors from all corners of the community pooled their resources to fund the Everitt Pavilion and sculpture.
Both the Everitt Pavilion and sculpture are situated in the new Great Lawn at The Gardens. The one-half acre lawn with stage is surrounded by beautiful and educational themed gardens. It will be the host site to summer concerts, plays, weddings, and other special events, such as Garden of Lights. Fort Collins City Council approved the naming of the Everitt Pavilion and officially accepted the donation of the bronze sculpture in June 2019.
Guests are welcome to visit the Everitt Pavilion and sculpture Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free during construction. The Gardens on Spring Creek will re-open its entire site from major construction later this fall. The complete expansion includes five acres of new gardens, a renovated Visitor’s Center, and the first Butterfly House in northern Colorado.
For more information, please visit www.fcgov.com/gardens.
About the Gardens on Spring Creek:
The Gardens on Spring Creek is the community botanic garden of Fort Collins, Colorado. The 18-acre site opened in May 2004 as part of a vital public/private partnership between the city of Fort Collins and the Friends of the Gardens on Spring Creek. The Gardens are currently under major construction, which includes a five-acre garden expansion, a renovated Visitor’s Center, and a new Butterfly House. Grand re-opening is scheduled for late 2019. In 2018, The Gardens hosted 82,000 visitors. Learn more about the botanical gardens at fcgov.com/gardens