SANDYVALE MEMORIAL BOTANICAL GARDENS & ARBORETUM

 

 

 

History

Sandyvale is a pioneer cemetery that was developed by the Horner family and used by many first families when the City of Johnstown, Pennsylvania was established in 1800.  The earliest graves date from the Revolutionary War.  Sandyvale has been a part of the fabric of the City and region for over two centuries.  In the early years it provided a gathering place for many community civic and social events.  It was a beautiful green spot in the pioneer days but with the industrial era and the development of the steel mills and plants and the birth of the railroad access to this industry, it came to be an area that was isolated and forgotten, sustaining extensive flood damage and neglect for many years.

 

Currently the site is 10.6 acres of flat grassy lawn and is the last large open green space in inner city Johnstown. 

A Master Plan program has been coordinated by the renowned design and landscape architectural firm of Marshall – Tyler – Rausch, LLC to preserve this historic location creating a beautiful, thriving, self-sustaining memorial botanical garden.

 

Goals/Plan

The following are goals related to the development of The Sandyvale Memorial Botanical Gardens and Arboretum in the Hornerstown neighborhood of the City of Johnstown:

  • To develop the site of The Sandyvale Cemetery as a memorial garden and a botanical/arboretum facility, embracing local sentiment, appropriate design, sound planting and landscaping theory and practice --  thematically designed and planned. 
  • Construction of a greenhouse/conservatory and classroom area to conduct hands-on training for students, facilities for technicians, and workshops/seminars on horticulture for volunteers and the general public including the physically challenged.
  • To coordinate the implementation of the gardens project with existing and/or proposed open space, trail, historical and recreational facilities within the area, recognizing and building upon the linkages and interrelationships with these other projects.
  • The appropriate incorporation of statuary, fountains, water features, benches, gazebos, garden ornaments, and walking bridges.
  • To accommodate the horticultural interests of professional and private citizens, i.e. master gardeners, instructors, youth/student and volunteer groups as well as the general public.
  • To attract private, public and foundation assistance in the development and maintenance of the memorial garden facility.
  • The development of a visitor’s center and memorial wall honoring former citizens and veterans including family information, historical photographs of the era and memorabilia of Sandyvale, the City and region as relates to its history.
  • The tasteful, artful and sensitive use of remaining grave stones within the gardens in concert with the concept of Garden Cemeteries.
  • The delineation of activities and services which would serve the region, again sensitive to the original use of the site.

 

Copy of  the  Preliminary  Site  Plan

 

This project will act in concert with other planned and existing projects which encourage tourism and passive recreation, and enhance the beauty, aesthetics, culture and quality of life for the region.

 

For more information about the Sandyvale Memorial Botanical Gardens project please write to:

Attn:  Secretary

Sandyvale Memorial Gardens

P.O. Box 41

Johnstown, PA 15907

 

For information about sponsorship opportunities and naming rights for specialty gardens, teaching pavilion, visitor center, orangery, conservatory, statuary, fountains, etc. please e-mail inquiries to:  dmkdaylily@aol.com or call 814-266-7891 or 814-266-3873, or you can write to the above-referenced address. 

 

Descendants of those buried at Sandyvale are asked to please contact the Secretary so that your personal family tree may be added to the data base being created for the on-site library.

 

Donations to the Sandyvale Endowment Fund can be sent to:

The Community Foundation for the Alleghenies

116 Market Street, Suite #4

Johnstown, PA 15901

 

*Sandyvale Memorial Botanical Gardens & Arboretum is operated by The Sandyvale Cemetery Association, Inc. and has a 501(c)3 designation – all donations and contributions are tax deductible.