Ever evolving: More changes as Oregon Garden celebrates 10th anniversary

By Brenna Wiegand

Since April Purdy set foot on Oregon Garden soil nearly a dozen years ago she has witnessed key elements in its evolution. The plants and trees have matured. Individual gardens have transformed into lush masterpieces that for years existed only in the minds of their creators.

Purdy also ached during the Garden’s struggles and ultimately took a major role in the care and nurturing that enabled The Oregon Garden to weather financial storms.

Now, Purdy is bringing her wonder, nurture and management skills home with the arrival of a baby – her third during her five-year tenure as the Garden’s general manager. Come July, Mike and April Purdy’s little flock swells to three – all under the age of 5.

“It’s time to focus 100 percent on my kids,” Purdy said.

Purdy started at The Oregon Garden as a volunteer in 2000; was hired two years later as an administrative assistant; and in April 2006 Dirk Winter asked her to become general manager. It was a time of sweeping change. Winter, proprietor of Moonstone Hotel Properties, had just stepped in to save the Garden, floundering under several million dollars in debt.

Winter took on its debt and day-to-day management and purchased 11 acres overlooking the 80-acre public garden. There, he built another of his garden-themed resort hotels, creating a double-destination scenario just outside Silverton. This one he considers the crown jewel in his string of West Coast inns. The Oregon Garden Resort opened in October of 2008.

“The Oregon Garden is very close to Dirk Winter’s heart because he is such a gardening enthusiast,” said Malei Weir, the Garden’s public relations consultant. “This is a dream of his – taking it to the nth degree.”
Buoyed by Winter’s confidence and support, Purdy took on the monumental task of orchestrating its future, albeit on a limited budget. The strides made in the last few years, she says, would have been impossible if not for strong, dedicated staff members willing to do anything to make it succeed.

“It’s a huge effort on all of our parts,” Purdy said. She is modest about her role in pulling together and motivating the Garden’s sturdy, willing crew.

Purdy and Oregon Garden Resort Manager Christine Diacetis forged a strong working relationship that has enabled each entity to provide programs and events of a caliber not otherwise possible.

“We work well together on special projects geared to draw visitors to the Garden and overnight accommodation at the resort – probably one of the biggest parts of my job,” Purdy said.

They take part in each other’s meetings and cooperate on marketing ventures, orchestrating staff and resources for the betterment of each. For example, should the resort need plants or centerpieces for an event, the Garden is there. The resort hosted the Garden’s volunteer appreciation dinner and welcomed the brewers in town for the Garden’s popular Brewfest.

Purdy notices new excitement among visitors.

“They don’t have to make a visit to the Garden a day trip,” she said. “It now becomes an overnight destination.”

A recent TOT (transient occupancy tax) grant from the city paid for advertising in Via, Sunset and Alaska Airlines magazines.

Purdy hopes the momentum continues after she leaves.  The Garden is actively seeking her replacement.
The facility, Purdy said, is on track to meet this year’s overall attendance goal of 100,000 between the Garden, resort and events.

The Oregon Garden will celebrate its 10th anniversary Sunday, July 3. Free to all Silverton residents, the all-day celebration includes family friendly activities, a photo exhibit, food vendors, birthday cake and live music with a concert and fireworks in the evening.

Among the newer happenings at the Oregon Garden is the honeybee program. New solar-powered hive-cooling technology allows many wing-fanning workers to get out and gather pollen from the Garden’s rich selection. The result is 300 pounds of Oregon Garden Honey its first year, produced by just four hives. It is sold in the visitors’ center.

The popularity of the Brewfest, begun in 2005, featuring Oregon beer, food and music, has grown every year, as have events held outside in the Teufel Amphitheater or Children’s Garden. Car and quilt shows, educational programs and kids’ events are among the Garden’s many attractions.

A mysterious water creature weaving itself through the A-mazing Water Garden recently startled tourists and workers alike at the Garden.

“I pass that waterway daily, but this time I was shocked to see this huge dinosaur-like creature looking back at me,” said Gordon Kneutson, a member of The Oregon Garden’s horticulture crew.

The gorgeous sea serpent creature was explained by Heather Desmarteau-Fast, horticulture manager.

“For some time now we have been working on rejuvenating our A-mazing Water Garden. But a few of us in the horticulture department decided to use this ‘water creature’ topiary as a secret surprise to spring on our staff and visitors. We had a blast sneaking it out there at the crack of dawn. It’s a whimsical touch that we thought would make a big splash.”

The water creature is more than 13 feet long and will be living in the A-mazing Water Garden for the summer. He is officially named “Mr. Ed” in loving memory of Edgar Graves whose widow, Nellie Graves, sponsored the project. The couple were longtime volunteers at the Garden. Nellie Graves worked with a team of Oregon Garden greenhouse volunteers to create the creature.

Mr. Ed is planted with several types of sedum – perennial groundcovers that are drought tolerant and mimic the look of scaly skin.

From silly sea serpents to crowd-pleasing events, the Oregon Garden has grown and adapted during in its 10 years. It has often been challenging, but Purdy is grateful she was able to play a role in getting the Garden on track to becoming a local treasure – and a national destination.

“I’ll be around,” she said. “I’ve already told them I’ll be back to help with next year’s Brewfest.”