WESTPORT — A new green space is set to come to downtown Westport with the Westport Museum for History and Culture’s garden revitalization project, which began this month.
The site design takes inspiration from a plan from the early 2000s that was found while cataloging the museum’s archives, Executive Director Ramin Ganeshram said.
Lysonsplain Architecture, Growing Solutions and Fairfield County Engineering enhanced the original design, which includes paths through native flower beds, shrubs and benches. The plantings are deer resistant and include various native and historically significant species, the museum said.
“New plantings, walkways, and benches will vibrantly activate the space to create interest and engagement at the far end of the town,” said Hanna Przada, owner and lead architect of Lyonsplain Architecture.
Ganeshram said this project will “create a beautiful green space that always has something seasonally in bloom” as well as places for people to walk and sit.
One of the highlights of the redesign is the walkway. Prior to 2017, the museum had a blue stone pathway, which was removed and replaced with engraved and plain bricks. Now, the path will return to blue stones, using the originals and some new ones. The engraved bricks will be fashioned into decorative edging around the new pathways and throughout other areas of the garden.
Ganeshram said the bricks are being taken out and stored, so the new walkways using the historic and supplementary blue stone can be laid. Another part of the project includes restoring a fence, which she said will start soon.
The seven-sided cobblestone barn on the site has also been restored, which Ganeshram said is the only one of its kind in the state.
Ganeshram said the project is expected to cost about $400,000, which will be covered with donations and grants. They have about $40,000 to $50,000 left to raise.
One of the largest contributions is from the Daniel E. Offutt III Charitable Trust. Richard Orenstein, trustee of the Daniel E. Offutt III Charitable Trust, said he was pleased to have open space in the middle of downtown.
Ganeshram said she hopes the restoration creates “an attractive environment where people want to engage with us” at the museum.
She said the space will be open during museum hours for the public to use. She mentioned there are plenty of people who work in Westport who don’t live there, who can use the area during lunch or coffee breaks.
In the future, Ganeshram hopes to see the garden used for events. The barn can host about 25 to 30 people, and the garden can be used for larger gatherings, like weddings.
Ganeshram also said the revitalization will help create cohesion in the downtown area, and hopes it will benefit some of the nearby retail shops, if the area draws people in. She mentioned that the town has arts and culture from “end to end,” including the museum and Levitt Pavilion.
In the summer, Ganeshram said they hope to provide watercolor painting kits, or that people will create their own art on the property.
“Come to us,” she said. “Walk around these beautiful grounds, have a seat use the free public WiFi.”
