Now it seems that it is time to move on to a new phase in the history <br /> of the Hendricks Park Rhododendron Garden. It is tine to determine if <br /> the gerden'should be developed to provide for the potential that exists <br /> in Hendricks Park. <br /> As the use and demands of the garden have changed over the years there <br /> has been very little development made to relate to these changes. The <br /> garden has just outgrown its original site and is not meeting its potential. <br /> The demand for additional apace for plants has altered the principal open <br /> space- -over the years many plants have been added to the garden -- taking <br /> open space along the edges and around many of the trees--so that the valuable <br /> open space has grown smaller and has lost the impact it once had. Many <br /> of the plants have grown to the point of needing additional space or are <br /> in the need of being moved to new locations to better provide for their <br /> needs for growth and to show the plants off to a better advantage. <br /> A complete inventory and evaluation of the existing plant collection is <br /> a necessity if planning for a well organized plant collection is to become <br /> a reality. <br /> WHAT IS NEEDED <br /> a. An expanded rhododendron garden with a more complex grouping of <br /> spaces and events connected by an interesting system of pathways <br /> to make for an integrated whole. <br /> b. A system of spaces and pathways that have a continuity and could <br /> be entered at any of several points and yet would extend in a con- <br /> tinuing route through the garden. <br /> c. Additional apace for plants: <br /> 1. To accommodate the many magnificent plants now growing in the <br /> garden which are maturing and are in need of more space and <br /> better locations. <br /> 2. To keep new interest in the collection by introducing species <br /> and hybrids that cone on the market or are provided by various <br /> growers and individuals. <br /> d. An information center: The existing picnic shelter should be altered <br /> to become a very inportant part of an expanded Rhododendron Garden. <br /> With relatively little difficulty it could be altered to provide <br /> an attractive place to further the educational goals of the garden. <br /> This information center would suppleaent and enhance the plant <br /> collection. <br /> The structure just happens to be located in a very favorable position <br /> to serve the needs of the garden. It has a central location and <br /> can be seen from the various parts of the garden. Also, the views <br /> from the structure into the garden are most favorable. <br /> The information center should be designed to provide for several <br /> functions: <br /> 1. Meeting room: for lectures, discussions, exchanging information, <br /> meeting people, providing information for visitors <br /> 2. Exhibition space: the meeting room and exhibition apace could <br /> be combined in one space that could be altered for a given purpose. <br />