Ashe's $200,000 gift to be used for gardens' improvements, master plan

PHOTOS BY J. MILES CARY
NEWS SENTINEL

By RACHEL KOVAC, kovacr@knews.com
January 4, 2006

U.S. Ambassador to Poland and former Knoxville Mayor Victor Ashe announced Tuesday that he is donating $200,000 to the Knoxville Botanical Gardens and Arboretum.

"You know for many years I have had a love affair with the outdoors," said Ashe, in his suit and tennis shoes just inside the entrance to the gardens in East Knoxville. "This is a true asset not only to the city but also to the area."

The gardens, which were formed in 2001, sit on 44 acres of ridge-top land minutes from downtown Knoxville and surrounded by family homes. The site is the former Joe N. Howell Nursery and C.B. Howell Nursery, originally established in 1786. What had been a thriving nursery and garden business was neglected in recent years until 2001, when the not-for-profit group that operates the gardens purchased 10 acres of the Howell Nurseries. The gardens purchased another 18 acres in May 2004.

Ashe's donation will help with the development of the area, including restoring the round, stone buildings on the land, acquiring more land, establishing a Web site and developing a master plan with input from the from the community.

The Knoxville Botanical Gardens and Arboretum board of directors envisions that every tree native to the region will be displayed in the park along with a bird sanctuary, sculptures and a meditation area. The board's members do not expect to begin planting any gardens for several years and are currently clearing the area of brush, vines and dead wood. Volunteers are working on identifying, mapping and tagging all the trees, plants and shrubs on the property.

Ashe's donation is the largest gift the organization has received. The foundation and individual donations make up most of the funding. Knox County previously granted the garden $100,000 and budgeted another $100,00 for the current fiscal year.

"This gift represents giving in the purest sense," said Jim McDonough, president of the board. "Victor has nothing to gain from this and it was not solicited."

Both Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam and Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale thanked Ashe for his contribution and said they are looking forward to working with the garden board on continued improvements.

County Commissioners Diane Jordan and Thomas Strickland, who represent the district where the garden is located, also attended the press conference Tuesday morning marking the garden as a future tourist spot.

For Strickland it was a special moment, as he recalled walking across the nursery grounds on his way home from school as a child.

"I hope this will truly become a showcase," Ashe said. "Knoxville has been good to me and the Ashe family. This is a small way we can ensure a way to give back to the city. When we're gone this will still be here."

Rachel Kovac may be reached at 865-342-6306.

Copyright 2006, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.