11/09/1999

Agricultural Heritage Park Fund Raising Drive Underway

AUBURN, Ala.—A site dedication for Auburn University's Agricultural Heritage Park, which will be devoted to the past, present and future of Auburn's agricultural program, was held recently kicking off a fund-raising effort for the project.

During the ceremony, Luther Waters, dean of the AU College of Agriculture (CoAg), announced that the Heritage Park project, which has been in the planning stages for the past two years, has been approved by the AU Board of Trustees. The architectural firm of French and Associates of Columbus, Ga., has been hired to design the park and its facilities.

The park will be located at a site on Samford Avenue and across from the AU Athletic Department in Auburn. The focal points of the development will be a building known as "The Old Red Barn" and the university's former milking parlor.

Martha Patterson, special events coordinator for the College of Agriculture, explained that the Old Red Barn, which was built in 1929, is a landmark in Auburn and also is architecturally unique. "It is built in a style that was common for its time, but is becoming more and more rare to find as these old barns deteriorate around the state, and it is well worth preserving," she said.

The idea of developing Heritage Park was conceived by several CoAg alumni and AU faculty members who are interested in preserving the Old Red Barn and also in finding a permanent site for CoAg functions.

The barn, which will be renovated for historical and structural integrity, will serve as a visitors' center and farm equipment exhibit area. In addition, the milking parlor site also will be restored and used an exhibit and meeting space, a place to promote Alabama food products and as a possible media/publications center.

Other improvements will be made to the area, which will encompass 17 acres upon completion. A pavilion that will seat 250 people will be built near the barn for open-air functions. And an amphitheater, complete with a covered stage and lighting and sound equipment, also will be developed at Heritage Park for outdoor performances and events.

"Heritage Park will become the site for all our special events, such as the Ag Roundup and Taste of Alabama Agriculture that we host each fall," said Patterson. The area also will serve as an informal gathering place for CoAg alumni and friends during football season and reunions. Plenty of parking will be available at the area.

According to Patterson, the long-range plan for Heritage Park includes the development of fish ponds, a nature demonstration site to highlight the area's native plant and animal life and a walking trail that will encompass the historic Old Rotation field, which is located nearby, and other historic and interesting sites related to AU agriculture.

"Now that the development of Heritage Park has been approved, the next step will be to raise money for the project," said Chris Gary, director of development for the CoAg. He noted that the projected cost of development of Heritage Park is about $3 million. A fund has been established through the AU Alumni and Development Office to receive donations.

"Donations, both monetary and in-kind, are desperately needed," said Gary. Special fund-raising projects will be conducted and all levels of giving are encouraged.

In addition to monetary and in-kind donations, Patterson said the planning committee also is seeking information about the site.

"We're trying to dig up all the historical information we can about the barn," she said. "Anyone who has photos, stories or other information about the Old Red Barn or the dairy barn should get in touch with us!"

For more information on the park's development, contact Patterson at 334-844-3198 or on e-mail at mspatters@acesag.auburn.edu. For more information on how to donate to the development fund, contact Gary at 334-844-1136 or garycr@alumni.auburn.edu.

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News from:

Office of Ag Communications & Marketing

Auburn University College of Agriculture
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station
3 Comer Hall, Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849
334-844-4877 (PHONE) 334-844-5892 (FAX)

Contact Jamie Creamer, 334-844-2783 or jcreamer@auburn.edu
Contact Katie Jackson, 334-844-5886 or smithcl@auburn.edu

11/09/99