Logan County Courthouse lawn gets a fresh look

[June 19, 2013]  The lawn of the Logan County Courthouse has taken on a new look recently as part of the Logan County Board's plans for beautifying the grounds of the majestic building.

Flowering crabapple and redbud trees have been planted on all four sides of the courthouse. Maple trees have been planted on the east and west sides, with Cleveland pear trees planted on the Kickapoo Street side. The trees were purchased from C N S Forestry & Landscaping of Lincoln.

Trees that had been donated to the county in past years and were not healthy were removed. They were "conservation grade" and weren't as hardy or shapely as the new "landscape grade" trees.

To clean up the appearance of the grounds, some hedges and bushes were removed. Hedges near the building were kept in place to continue to provide a visual anchor for the massive building.

Earlier this spring, sidewalks on the courthouse grounds were repaired for improved safety and appearance.

Last year the county Buildings and Grounds Committee began developing plans for the courthouse grounds and for Latham and Scully parks.

Partnering with the city of Lincoln through its downtown redevelopment grant, the county took advantage of the expertise of the landscape architect hired to help determine what improvements to undertake to make the grounds and parks more attractive and functional.

"The Logan County Courthouse is the gem of the county," noted Terry Carlton, chairman of the grounds committee. "We are updating its look by pulling out the older décor and putting in a newer appearance. An historic place can still have a fresh face.

"The trees for the lawn were chosen with their hardiness and color in mind, based on the recommendations of the landscape architect and our own investigation," he said.

The committee will continue to make improvements to the grounds, as well as to Latham and Scully parks, in the next few years, he noted.

"The county board wants to make our properties the best they can be," he explained.

The recent improvements to the grounds of the courthouse follow improvements to the building over the last few years. Bronze-tinted windows on the courthouse were replaced with clear glass. Better, more efficient lighting was installed to illuminate the dome and throughout the interior of the building. The aging roof was replaced, and the courthouse bell was repaired.

"We were able to use grants for many of these projects," Carlton noted.

[Text from file received from the Logan County Board]