Rodney Robinson Joins Delaware Botanic Gardens Advisory Council

From the Delaware Botanic Gardens website:

Renowned landscape architect, Rodney Robinson, has accepted the invitation to be a member of the Delaware Botanic Gardens (DBG) Advisory Council. The Advisory Council is a group of distinguished public and private sector leaders who are assisting in the creation of the Delaware Botanic Gardens. The Advisory Council is chaired by Delaware’s First Lady, Carla Markell. “Rodney is a Delaware treasure. His designs have enhanced gardens across the state and throughout the country. His recent work to renovate the Gardens at Woodburn, the Governor’s official residence, is a prime example of his landscape creativity and dedication to natural beauty. Having Rodney join our efforts to create the Delaware Botanic Gardens is a major addition to the Advisory Council,” said Mrs. Markell.

Michael Zajic, President of DBG, said, “Rodney Robinson is a creative and inspirational landscape leader who has worked on many of the most beautiful public and private gardens in our country, including Chanticleer, Lewis Ginter Botanic Garden, Mount Cuba Center, the U.S. Botanic Garden at the Nation’s Capital and most recently the ongoing restoration of Nemours Mansion and Gardens. Having Rodney join our Advisory Council brings a respected landscape designer to our organization whose advice and guidance will be invaluable.”Rodney Robinson said, “It is a great honor to have this opportunity to work again with Carla Markell and Holly Schimizu to help create the Delaware Botanic Gardens. Public gardens are important elements of our community. They are places of inspiration and renewal. This project will be a great addition to our State and entire region.”

The Advisory Council led by Mrs. Markell is a group of distinguished leaders which includes Holly Shimizu, emerita Executive Director of the United States Botanic Garden; Collin O’Mara, Director of the National Wildlife Federation; Hugh Leahy, former Senior Vice President of the Delaware Community Foundation; and Nelson Shaffer, Executive Vice President/Chief Administrative Officer of Pennoni Associates.

The Delaware Botanic Gardens is a ten-year, multi-phase plan to bring a sense of place to Delmarva with a major public garden that reflects southern Delaware’s unique coastal plain. Its mission is to create inspirational, educational, and sustainable gardens in Delaware for the benefit and enjoyment of residents and visitors alike. The gardens will be located on 37 acres along Piney Neck Road, near Dagsboro in Sussex County. The parcel has an ideal mix of farmland, woodland and over 1000 feet of tidal waterfront on Pepper Creek.

Ground breaking is planned for early spring 2015, with an opening of the first phase of the garden in 2017.

Please visit Rodney Robinson Landscape Architects, Inc. on our website, www.rrla.com.