Ridgeland library opens garden space

RIDGELAND – A green space featuring picnic tables, benches and flowers officially opened to the public Thursday at the Elsie E. Jurgens Library off of Highway 51 here.

Library officials and Mayor Gene F. McGee attended the ribbon cutting for the Storybook Garden on Thursday afternoon behind the library. Madison County Library System Director Tammie Terry said she is glad they can finally provide an outdoor space at the Ridgeland branch.

“We have a lot of things to offer other than books,” Terry said.

Branch Manager Evanne Flanders said she was excited to welcome the public to the new outdoor space at the Ridgeland branch where they hope families can enjoy picnic lunches and outdoor time. She said this will also give the library the opportunity to hold outdoor events.

“We know people enjoy the green spaces at our libraries,” Flanders said.

Flanders said the garden has been in development for about two years and was made possible thanks to contributions from partners like Cedar Hill Gardens and the City of Ridgeland.

Terry said her Youth services Coordinator, Becky Bowen, was also heavily involved in bringing the garden to life.

The ribbon cutting followed a presentation inside the library by Emily Grohovsky of Cedar Hill Gardens celebrating the annual opening the libraries seed library.