Columbia, S.C. (WACH) — Riverbanks Garden is marking its 30th anniversary, showcasing decades of horticultural evolution and community connection. Melodie Scott-Leach, the Horticulture Design and Operations Manager, reminisced about the garden’s early days, saying, “I remember when this was woods and we had to actually cut a trail down.” Her passion for plants and creating habitats has been a driving force behind the garden’s transformation into one of the Midlands’ most iconic green spaces.
“This garden is a composite of everyone who has worked here over the years,” said Andy Cabe, Director of Horticulture at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden. The garden, which is constantly evolving, recently opened Waterfall Junction, a children’s garden that allows parents to enjoy the surroundings while their children play.
Mary Louise Robinson, a guest at Riverbanks Garden, emphasized the garden’s role in reconnecting people with nature. “There is so much that is the natural world around, that we hardly recognize, we don’t know how to step through it. This encourages us to feel our natural world,” she said.
As the garden continues to grow, it remains deeply rooted in the community, with hopes that its influence extends beyond its gates. “Lexington and Richland County both have a piece of Riverbanks in their county, so we feel like we’re a part of these communities and it’s just really exciting to see this place grow over the years,” said Cabe.
The garden encourages homeowners to plant with a purpose, using some of the same flowers found at Riverbanks to support pollinators at home. “It’s as easy as that, it helps with bee conservation and other pollinators that are struggling,” said Scott-Leach. This initiative is a small step towards environmental protection, echoing the garden’s mission over the past 30 years.