Cornell Botanic Gardens Welcome Center Garden

The Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center, an interpretive and education center within Cornell Botanic Gardens , opened in the fall of 2011. TWMLA prepared detailed design and construction documents for the Welcome Center Garden. The garden includes extensive stone paths, stone walls, unique seating and porous pavements.

Stormwater treatment is integrated into the landscape design and part of the visitor’s experience. Highlighting the patterns and flow of water in the garden is a signature theme. Paving and other construction details are crafted to elevate the role of water in the garden. Runoff is directed to visible cobbled swales and ultimately discharged to a large, heavily planted bioretention basin that is used for educational purposes.