Former park employee relocates in the Governors backyard

Tom Martin is working with staff and students from the University of Illinois to upgrade landscape at the Executive Mansion in Springfield.

By Dianne W. Morse

Early in 1984, Gov. James Thompson initiated a two-year project to upgrade and rehabilitate the declining landscape of the Governor's Mansion in Springfield. He enlisted aid from the University of Illinois' ornamental horticulture staff.

The goal of the project is to revitalize those sections of the landscape that have deteriorated. The work will complement the Mansion's existing landscape plan.

A goal is to make the Mansion Illinois' showplace for landscape excellence.

The project is a cooperative effort involving Professors William R. Nelson, landscape architect and project coordinator; Floyd Giles, landscape construction specialist; David Williams, expert on woody plants, and senior students in landscape design. Tom Martin, former manager of the Glen Oak Botanical Garden at the Peoria Park District, oversees the project and serves as the liaison between the Governor and the project staff.

Getting started

The preliminary site survey and interview with the Governor have been completed. Students are currently analyzing those findings and researching the landscape aspects of the Georgian-style Mansion.

By June, a final plan will be selected from the students' designs. Governor Thompson will participate in the selection process with the design jury.

Martin's on-site presence meets the daily specialized needs of the Mansion grounds and enables him to keep the university apprised of unforeseen developments. Under Martin's direction, a landscape contractor will begin implementing the new designs this fall. The project is scheduled for completion in spring, 1986. The university will serve as a consulting agency during the implementation phase.

Professional credentials

Martin's travels, experience and study of European gardens predispose him to assume the role of State horticulturist. A 1976 horticulture graduate of the University of Illinois, Martin interned at one of the country's largest and most respected botanical gardens, Longwood Gardens near Philadelphia. He joined the Peoria Park District the following year, and was named manager of the conservatory and its grounds in 1978.

New designs will be implemented this fall.

Leland Keu, executive director of the Peoria Park District, said, "We were fascinated with him (Martin). He's world-traveled and an excellent instructor."

Martin's most recent accomplishment was the national accreditation of Peoria's rose garden by the All American Rose Selection Committee. Committee Director George E. Rose

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commended Martin's work. The rose garden was judged "outstanding in all respects."

Because of the rose garden's current status and Martin's efforts to develop a botanical garden, the Peoria Park District is on the horticultural map. Tours of the public garden account for a large source of passive recreation. Landscape excellence, Martin's personal goal, increases tourism and promotes public pride, participation and support.

"Things can go downhill so fast in this line of business if they are not properly maintained," Martin said.

Mansion rehabilitation

Last November, Martin implemented the Mansion's overall maintenance plan by restoring existing plant material for optimum growth and visual impact. His recommendations will be incorporated in the maintenance manual being written for the Mansion grounds.

Martin hopes the Governor's Mansion will become a showplace and set the State's standard for landscape excellence. He feels that horticulture is an essential public service. The public expects such excellence, and even takes it for granted, until grounds become run-down.

"The extra effort is obvious," Martin noted. "It's the first thing you notice at the White House, amusement parks and botanical gardens."

Landscape expenses can total millions of dollars. Martin, accustomed to stretching the public dollar, feels, "tax monies can be used effectively and tastefully."

Cost-effective management techniques which Martin utilized in Peoria included having volunteer labor, developing public interest and capitalizing on support for various projects. Accordingly, no successful project was completed by a single hand. It began with a spark that ignited the combined efforts of planners and resulted in funds for new features that promote community involvement. Martin hopes to develop that same combination of elements in Springfield.

Some adjustments

Although both are areas of public domain, architecture is the most important difference between Martin's State and municipal responsibilities. The Mansion's landscape revisions will be adapted to necessary security functions, gubernatorial events, public impact and privacy. Research and planning for permanence are essential to meet those needs.

In addition, Martin is adjusting to the more limited space of the Man-

The Mansions east area is one of five sites designated for extensive
renovation. Landscape construction will correct problem drainage. (Photo by Dianne Morse.)

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sion grounds. Certain facilities to which he is accustomed, such as greenhouses to propagate plant material, are not available.

Interior considerations

The interior of the Mansion also challenges Martin to make an impact. Marble, crystal and silver historical containers are available for plant materials. To avoid being dwarfed by the sheer magnitude of each room, floral arrangements designed to scale require masses of sizeable flowers. Although the Mansion lends itself to floral opulence by dimension alone, Martin provides prudent yet elegant arrangements.

With the advent of a new growing season, cut flowers from the Mansion garden will make the interior florally self-sufficient.

Everyone responsible for public grounds recognizes the constant challenge of landscape requirements.

"An effective, intelligent design and the development of a long-range plan for overall maintenance require supervision by a professional," Nelson stated.

Landscape excellence increases assessed value, stimulates specific recreational activities and encourages public pride and support.

The rehabilitation project is a unique experience for Martin and the university's workforce. The Governor's foresight in appraising current landscape conditions and seeking expert assistance is a long-term, cost-effective measure. The culmination of the project will be a standard of landscape excellence for Illinois. For Tom Martin, this has always been the goal.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dianne W. Morse, former horticulturist with the Pekin Park District, currently owns a small business. She works with the federal crop reporting service and a private crop consulting firm.

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