1905 Carnegie Garden Project Web Page

When the Pikes Peak Library District completed restoration of the 1905 Carnegie Library building on West Kiowa Street in 2001 – returning it to its original magnificence – the ground around the exterior of the building was left barren due to lack of funding for landscaping. Since then, a committee of library staff and local citizens has been working with Landscape Architect Carla Anderson to plan a garden for the area.

Some highlights of this garden, as described more fully in the narrative, include:

	A Demonstration Garden featuring plants that thrive in our semi-arid climate and enlighten the community to the beauty of low-water gardens. This area has high visibility from both levels of Penrose Library and the parking area below. A practical and truly critical function of this area’s design has been stabilizing the bank on the south side of the Carnegie foundation and incorporating a needed emergency egress from the back of the Penrose building. The Garden is now open for the public’s enjoyment for certain hours during the day.
	An *allée* that is a more formal, (eventually) shaded space for public functions and outdoor gatherings, performances, children’s library storytimes, or just a quiet lunchtime with friends.
	Throughout the garden, there are sites for sculpture to display local artistic talent.
	A beautiful wrought iron fence with wide gates provides security, while allowing access during open hours. The garden will always be staffed and monitored when open to the public.