The Meadow & Pavilion

Designed by Fay Jones and Maurice Jennings Architects, the Meadow Pavilion was dedicated in 1995. Made of redwood, metal and limestone, it offers a sweeping view of the entire garden and a shaded place to rest. Surrounding the pavilion is a planting of native prairie grasses and flowers depicting an artistic expression of the tall grass prairie that once covered much of this region.

The meadow  restoration project includes grazing goats, seasonal burn, and mowing to improve soil health, plant and insect diversity. It maintains a beautiful stand of exuberant native grasses including gamma grass, switchgrass, indian grass and big bluestem. The billowing grasses reach peak size and plume in mid to late summer and create a moving display as they wave in the wind. At first frost the grasses turn warm autumn tones from blond to brunette and retain their rich colors through the winter.