Restoration of the Riverdale Landscape

The Restoration Project

The original brick walkways were removed and replaced, with original brick pavers salvaged and used in the decorative patterns in the walks
The stacked limestone colonnade columns and the limestone walls and steps leading to the colonnade, circular gardens and player’s green were rehabilitated and rebuilt using the original stone. The foundation of the colonnade was reinforced and moved away from the bluff. The original base can be seen behind the new foundation.
Crowning the columns is a replica of the original arbor. It will be planted with grape and wisteria, which in decades to come will create a green “roof.”
The fountain in the circular garden was excavated carefully, documented and reconstructed with modern features.
The concentric perennial beds and walks around the circular fountain have been re-established to recreate the serene retreat that it was intended to be. The garden will have four seasons of display, with especially vibrant color in spring and fall.
The lawn terraces that define the various gardens, including the player’s green (stage), have been redefined and the grass will be completely replaced.
Groundcover and strategic tree installations have been added to separate the garden spaces as Jensen intended.
In addition to the restoration of existing features, new lighting, interpretive signs, connections for sound systems and an irrigation system have been installed.
Garden features such as urns, benches and statuary have been restored as Jensen intended.

The restoration project cost is $1.4 million. A $600,000 endowment will be established to provide maintenance in perpetuity.
More than $1.4 million has been raised for the restoration and almost $50,000 has been secured for the endowment as of 9/1/20.

Additional features to be added in the Colonnade include garden benches and the restoration of several statues.
Several key historic features in the naturalistic landscape below the mansion, known as the Nina Mason Pulliam EcoLab still need to be restored, including: