With love in the air this Valentine’s Day weekend, Barbara and Bob Bigham are showing their love for the Dallas Arboretum big time. How big? To the tune of $1M! Their just-announced sweetheart gift will benefit the Scenic Overlook in the Arboretum’s newest project — A Tasteful Place.
Located on the southern part of the property and scheduled to break ground in the latter part of the year, the $8M A Tasteful Place will be a fruit, herb and vegetable garden with a glass-enclosed pavilion, where “daily tastings, regular activities, classes and demonstration” can take place.
Located at the base of The Tasteful Place and overlooking White Rock Lake and downtown Dallas, the Scenic Overlook will be “surrounded by semi-circular pergolas, flowers, herbs, vegetables and vines.” It will be the perfect spot for “visits, weddings, seated dinner, wine tastings and private events.”
Having undergone cancer surgery in recent years, Barbara “felt strongly about her involvement because of the peace and tranquility offered by walks through the garden.” She hope that “our involvement will encourage others to join us in helping create this one-of-a-kind garden. I am thrilled to support the Dallas Arboretum in becoming the most outstanding garden in the country.”
As for Bob, he summed it up by saying, “Every time we come to the garden, I feel happy. My Valentine this year is our gift to the Arboretum for this important area.”
As a big, old thank-you, the Scenic Overlook will be named for the Bighams.
According to Arboretum President/CEO Mary Brinegar, “Our city is lucky to have a couple as community-oriented as Barbara and Bob Bigham and as generous in time, talent and resources. They truly have given back to others for so many years. It is an honor to name the Scenic Overlook in A Tasteful Place for them. It will be a lasting legacy.”
* Photo provided by the Dallas Arboretum