Glen Echo Garden - Information

THE
dream
The dream to create a botanical
garden started way back in 1968. For
three years the search was on to
find a desirable location in which the
dream could be brought to reality.
The property was purchased in 1971
from Mr. Ed Badgely. There was a
one bedroom cabin and a shed on
the premises. However, the family did
not move onto this property until
Christmas, 1974. By then, the
existing greenhouse was up and
producing bedding plants for Dick's
Garden Center, in Ferndale.

After 18 years, the garden center
was sold and only landscaping was
continued until 2006. The house was
built in 1975 and the cabin moved off
the property. Owner, Dick Bosch,
tried to begin the development of the
garden then, but due to lack of time
and capital, the project was put off
until the summer of 2006, when he
retired after 40 years of lanscaping.

The first known owner of the
property was Glen Echo Coal Mine.
They owned much more than these
16 acres in progress. Later it became
a shingle mill. Mr. Edward Gooding
bought the company in 1928 and it
then became a lumber company and
existed for many years. The lumber
operation accounts for the large
stumps throughout the area.

This sold Dick on this particular land.
He also liked the fact that the severe
northeast winds do not hit this
property in the winter. Dick started
gathering plants, shrubs, and trees,
as work began on the garden. He put
up fencing to keep out the deer, and
now has planted about 10,000
bedding plants. He has had lots of
help from family, friends and
neighbors. It is a work in progress
with a lot of potential in as yet
"untouched areas".

For Dick Bosch, planting this garden
is the beginning of a legacy. The act
of gardening is a leap of faith. Every
time you dig a hole in the earth and
nestle a plant into the welcoming
soil, you create a pact with the
future!