100 years ago, the Hauberg gardens in Rock Island, IL rivaled those of the wealthiest estates in the country...but you wouldn't know it today. Designed by renowned landscape architect, Jens Jensen (known for his "prairie style" work), they featured winding paths, native plants and trees, fishing ponds, reflecting pools, a creek, hidden vistas, fruit trees and a grape arbor, many flower varieties, stone benches and pergolas with columns bearing the same "tulip" design also found on the mansion. Today, only traces of the original gardens remain—the outline of an empty pond, concrete steps rising up out of the ground in the midst of a forest, a bridge over waterless creek. Yet, all of this is about to change.
With the help of Friends of Hauberg Civic Center Foundation (a non-profit organization formed in May of 2016 to preserve, protect and maintain this historic landmark), efforts are underway to restore the historic gardens to their former grandeur. Dead and invasive trees have been removed and the Friends have partnered with various professional organizations for continued maintenance and restoration of the Jens Jensen design.This event is co-organized with Holly Bell of Maxx Models and Talent and Rock Island Parks & Recreation.
