Garden Improvements and Enhancements

One of the new signs placed in the Altrusa Native Plant Garden.

In an effort to increase the beauty of Hatcher Garden, some recent improvements have been added. Paver sections have been laid in two locations; one on the Thomas Bartram Trail and one on the Mary Black Foundation Woodland Trail. The Mary Black Foundation Woodland Trail experienced a serious crack in the paved path near the intersection with the Thomas Bartram Trail. The dip in the path was flattened and pavers were laid. On the Thomas Bartram Trail, pavers of various sizes and shapes were laid in front of the Spartanburg Regional Foundation Children’s Gazebo. In reflection of its position beside the turtle pond, a graphic representation of a turtle was laid in stone among the pavers.

Pavers on the Mary Black Foundation Woodland Trail.

Various sizes of pavers enhance the entrance to the Spartanburg Regional Foundation Children’s Gazebo on the Thomas Bartram Trail.

The turtle design inlaid among the pavers and bricks on the Thomas Bartram Trail in front of the Spartanburg Regional Foundation Children’s Gazebo. It is beside the Turtle Pond where some of our turtles live.

This section of the paved path, where it intersects with Thomas Bartram Trail, was torn up when one of the trees toppled over during a violent storm. The roots caused an upheaval of the asphalt. Now replaced with beautiful stone pavers.

Also added to the garden was some new signage that was made possible through a grant from Duke Energy Foundation (see story from November 2019) and Spartanburg Water. One sign is in the modified Water Wise Demonstration Garden, providing information on drought tolerant plants. The other sign at the Altrusa Native Plant Garden ( a copy of the one at the Bio Retention Pond) informs readers on how water recycles in nature. These signs are educational and are an upgrade for some of the older signs in the garden. Look for more signs in the future as we upgrade some of our older signs.

New sign at the newly arranged and enhanced Water Wise Demonstration Garden.

Another new sign along the Mary Black Foundation Woodland Path describes how forests evolve and cycle.

This sign is in the Conifer Display Garden describing what a conifer is.