Keep this Hilton Head dream alive: Show off the good earth and open sky | Opinion

A dream, a vision, or a reality?

Twenty-four years ago, botanical gardens were a vision of Charles Fraser, the founder of Sea Pines and visionary of Hilton Head Island’s modern development. It was a part of his much larger vision and reality for Hilton Head.

Recently, as part of my de-cluttering of our house and the files in my library, I came across a folder called “Botanical Gardens for Hilton Head.”

In it I had filed two Island Packet articles describing a vision of Fraser for creating a botanical garden on Hilton Head that was to include a butterfly conservatory. The first article appeared July 10, 1996 and described a plan for a town-owned botanical garden that would be developed and operated by a nonprofit foundation.

Volunteers would plan, plant, and manage it. Civic groups would help in the process. A full-time horticulturist and a volunteer coordinator would be the only full-time staff. The Hilton Head Botanical Gardens would be for nature lovers and all those who love the out-of-doors to enjoy flowers and other plant life.

Fraser hoped to include: four separate seasonal gardens; lush grass lawns beneath live oak trees for family picnicking; a butterfly house (now a reality at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn); a glass-walled meeting space for community groups to meet; scent gardens for the blind; and scuppernong grape vines.

I followed up the article with a supportive letter to Fraser and he responded with an invitation to attend the first of a series of meetings for brainstorming such a garden, its development, maintenance, and location.

At that time, Fraser had an 80-acre Jenkins Island location across from Windmill Harbour as the first choice for the site. In February 1999 the Packet reported progress of the Hilton Head Botanical Task Force and the enlisted services of a landscape firm. The proposed park included an information center, a youth recreation area, 2.5 miles of trails, flower gardens, an “arts village” and an area for a butterfly house. Local investors were scheduled to meet to discuss the creation of a public-private entity that would raise money for the park.

I recently contacted our town manager, Steve Riley, who was part of the discussions in the latter 1990s. He recalled that sufficient momentum and support were not generated to continue with the proposal.

Unfortunately, Fraser was killed in a boating accident in 2002.

I believe that a botanical garden on Hilton Head would be in keeping with Fraser’s philosophy for living in harmony with nature and preserving its value and beauty for future generations.

Another aspect of nature is looking upward and outward.

Our island home would be a natural location for an astronomy park that would include a planetarium.

Several acres might be devoted to a solar plaza that physically demonstrates the relationship of Earth to the other planets of our universe. A planetarium could provide a simulation of how the stars and planets move in our universe as they travel through space. A small theater setting might show videos of space travel, how our climate is changing, and what we can do to live in greater harmony with nature.

Not only does nature bring us enjoyment, it adds to our health and well-being. Being in nature, or even viewing scenes of nature, reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases our pleasant feelings. It also contributes to our physical well-being, reduces blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones.

I propose that those who are interested in such an addition make their interest known — master gardeners, garden clubs, garden enthusiasts, and anyone appreciating nature. Multiple gardens, walking trails, picnic areas, an educational and meeting center, even a bird sanctuary are possibilities.

Enhancing nature with a botanical garden or an astronomy park would be a destination site for visitors and an ongoing attraction for residents. The town-owned 100 acres mid-island or Honey Horn seem like desirable locations to consider.

Mel Witmer is a retired Ohio University professor who has lived on Hilton Head Island since 1989.