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Friends group asks Aiken City Council for $610,000 in repairs, describes education, volunteer and grant work at Hopelands Gardens and Rye Patch
Summary
Friends of Hopelands and Rye Patch told Aiken City Council the 23‑acre Hopelands Gardens and Rye Patch need repairs, new fencing and signage after Hurricane Helene, presented education programs and said trustees and donors have already contributed to recovery.
Friends of Hopelands and Rye Patch gave Aiken City City Council an update on Feb. 10, presenting programs, volunteer work and a list of needed repairs after storm damage and long-term wear at the 23‑acre Hopelands Gardens and Rye Patch.
"This is Hopeland's Gardens in Rye Patch, 23 acres. It is truly a place of history," said Dr. Holly Waltz, who identified herself as a presenter for the Friends group. Waltz described continuing education programs, concerts and recent storm cleanup, and she asked the council for additional funding to address deferred maintenance.
The presentation and subsequent public comments framed Hopelands as a tourist and community resource. Waltz said an education initiative called HOPE (Hopelands Outdoor Premier Education) and school‑day programs run with partners including the Ruth Patrick Science Center and the Savannah River Ecology Lab, and that a spring program starting March 20 will host rotating school groups.
Waltz listed damage and…
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