WESTPORT – New green space will be added to downtown Westport, with a garden revitalization project at the Westport Museum of History and Culture kicking off this month.
The site's design was inspired by an early 2000s plan that was discovered while cataloging the museum's archives, said executive director Ramin Ganeshram.
Lysonsplain Architecture, Growing Solutions and Fairfield County Engineering have refined the original design, which includes walkways through local flower beds, shrubs and benches. The plantations are deer-resistant and include many native and historically significant species, the museum says.
“The new plantings, paths and benches will revitalize the space, creating interest and interaction on the outskirts of the city,” said Hanna Przada, owner and chief architect of Lyonsplain Architecture.
Ganeshram said the project will "create a beautiful green area where there will always be something in bloom depending on the season" as well as places for people to walk and relax.
One of the highlights of the reconstruction is the track. Until 2017, the museum had a blue stone walkway, which was removed and replaced with polished and hewn brick. Now the path will return to the blue stones, using the original ones and a few new ones. The sculptured bricks will be framed with decorative borders around the new paths and other garden areas.
Ganeshram said the bricks are being removed and stored so new paths can be laid out of the historic bluestone and additional. The other part of the project is the restoration of the fence, which he says will begin soon.
A heptagonal cobblestone hut has also been restored at the site, which Ganeshram says is the only one of its kind in the state.
Ganeshram said the project is expected to cost around $400,000, which will be covered through donations and grants. They still have between $40,000 and $50,000 to raise.
One of the major contributions came from the Daniel E. Offutt III Charitable Foundation. Richard Orenstein, trustee of the Daniel E. Offutt III Charitable Foundation, said he was delighted with the opening of the downtown space.
Ganeshram hopes the restoration will create "an engaging environment in the museum where people will want to interact with us."
According to him, the space will be open to visitors during the opening hours of the museum. He noted that many people who work in Westport do not live there and may use the area during their lunch or coffee break.
Ganeshram hopes that the garden will be used for events in the future. The barn can accommodate 25-30 people and the garden can be used for large gatherings such as weddings.
Ganeshram also said the revitalization will help create cohesion in the city center and he hopes some of the nearby outlets will benefit as the area attracts people. He noted that the city has art and culture "from start to finish", including the Levitt Museum and pavilion.
In the summer, Ganeshram said they hope to offer watercolor kits where people can create their own paintings in the field.
“Come to us,” he said. “Stroll through these beautiful gardens, sit down, use the free public Wi-Fi.”
kayla.mutchler@hearstmediact.com
