The University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) has initiated a renovation of Cather Garden, a space named in honor of Nebraska author Willa Cather. The project aims to align the garden with the campus master plan and the upcoming renovation of Love Library North.
Key Aspects of the Renovation
Reshaping the South Quadrant: The south quadrant of the garden is undergoing significant changes, including the lowering of a berm north of the College of Business Administration. This adjustment enhances visibility and accessibility, opening up the space as recommended in the campus master plan.
Grass Replacement: The existing buffalo grass is being replaced with fescue, a more common grass type. This change aims to create a seamless transition between Cather Garden and the surrounding areas, such as Donaldson Garden to the east.
Native Plantings: The redesigned garden will feature a more manicured native landscape with controlled planting beds containing a variety of native plants and grasses, reflecting the prairie landscapes depicted in Cather’s works.
Integration with Love Library North: The renovation is part of a broader effort to transform the area around Love Library North into an outdoor plaza that connects to a planned Learning Commons on the library’s first floor. The final plaza design is still under development.
Future Updates: The remaining three quadrants of Cather Garden will be updated in conjunction with the completion of the Learning Commons project and plaza.
Cather Garden, established in the mid-1970s with a donation in memory of Johanna Abolins and a grant from the Lincoln Garden Club, was originally a parking lot. Today, it is one of 14 designated gardens on UNL’s City and East campuses.
