KEARNEY, Neb. (KOLN) – Sculptures tower over seven distinct botanical gardens that never stand still, thanks to a small army of gardeners.
“This garden couldn’t be without the volunteers,” said Coelette Gruber, horticultural specialist. “They’ve built their own little community. It’s been very fun to watch, and it’s welcomed a lot of people into town.”
Anyone can stop and smell not only roses, but also lilacs and hydrangeas, drought-resistant plants, annuals, native plants, a pollinator garden and edible plants.
“We donated over 600 pounds of produce to a local pantry last year,” Gruber said. “And I think we’re on track to do a little more.”
But volunteer Jill Hibbs remembers when the 12 acres used to be pastureland.
“I thought ‘Oh, they’ll get some trees. It’ll never come to fruition,” Hibbs said. “And I think it’s better than they even advertise.”
The idea for Yanney Heritage Park was dreamt up by a Kearney businessman, philanthropist and community member named Michael Yanney, as a way to honor his parents. With help from supporters, donors and volunteers, they built up the public park into what it is today.
“The garden was one of the first things that he he wanted, but it was it’s the last thing that’s gone in so far. You never know with Mr. Yanney,” Gruber smiled.
The owners of Steinbrink Landscaping drew inspiration from more than 20 gardens across the nation. Brock Steinbrink said they revised to plans seven times.
“In 2015, we had some donors contact us, and they got back from Bouchart Gardens up in Canada,” Steinbrink said. “It’s considered one of the top five botanical gardens within the world, and the donors said, ‘We want to recreate this in Nebraska.’”
In addition, vibrant sculptures are scattered throughout the landscape from local and out-of-state artists. The final phase of the gardens at Yanney Park was finished in spring of 2024.
This year, the theme of the annual garden was “Candyland” with areas that resembled Lollipop Woods, a Peppermint Forest, and Gooey Gumdrops. They hope to incorporate more themes in the future.
The caretakers coordinated with Sunken Gardens and the Lincoln Parks and Rec department to establish their volunteer program. Coelette said about 70 people volunteer right alongside staff members and seasonal workers who tend to Kearney’s parks.
“I start a lot of things from seed,” said Kendra Larken, facility maintenance worker. “So it’s fun just to start them from that and then watch them grow. It’s very rewarding.”
This rewarding aspect is due to 1,600 volunteer hours spent in Yanney’s gardens last year and beyond. The gardeners hope visitors leave with a sense of peace and some extra facts about the plants.
“I think the most exciting part about the gardens is that they are always changing,” Gruber said. “Because landscapes always evolve. They do not stand still.”
Yanney Heritage Park is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The gardeners will start preparing the beds for winter in September and October, but they are always looking for more volunteers to help bring it back to life next year.
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