Under a cloudy April sky, dozens of residents, alumni, community leaders and college officials gathered at the Bickelhaupt Arboretum Thursday, where the scent of damp soil mingled with spring blossoms and the promise of a bold new chapter.
Golden shovels in hand, they leaned into the earth — not just to mark the start of a construction project, but to plant the next seeds in a legacy five decades in the making.
“This is more than a groundbreaking,” said Brian Kelly, EdD, MBA, President of Clinton Community College. “It’s the continuation of a dream that started with two people walking the streets of Clinton, wondering how they could help humanity.”
That dream belonged to Bob and Frances Bickelhaupt, a local couple who transformed their private property into a public garden beginning in 1970. What began as a personal conservation project has grown into an arboretum spanning 15 acres, housing over 2,000 species of trees, shrubs and perennials — and now, it’s poised for its most ambitious transformation yet.
The Bickelhaupts’ story has become something of Clinton folklore. In 1964, the couple walked 90 miles of city streets on 38 excursions, mapping tree species and discussing their shared vision: to give back to a community that had given them so much. Confronted with the devastation of Dutch elm disease and a lack of public green space, they imagined an educational arboretum that could heal, teach and inspire.
Now, through the joint efforts of Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, and the Paul B. Sharar Foundation, that legacy is being renewed. A $5 million renovation campaign — years in the making — is set to transform the arboretum into a more inclusive, sustainable, and community-centered space by November 2025.
Among the most vocal supporters of the project is Shawn Hill-Lamb, granddaughter of Bob and Frances Bickelhaupt, who spent childhood summers on the property when it was still her grandparents’ home.
“I remember picking the apples in an apple tree that my grandmother had, we fished and we played in the creek all day long. And of course, we learned to swim here in the swimming pool,” Hill-Lamb said.
Hill-Lamb later joined the arboretum’s board of directors and played a key role in helping her family transfer the property to the Paul B. Sharar Foundation and Eastern Iowa Community Colleges in 2014. She said the current renovation builds on the foundation her grandparents laid with purpose and care.
“They always were planning for the future,” Hill-Lamb said. “This renovation project will beautifully honor my family's legacy.”
Plans include ADA-accessible facilities, community gathering spaces, expanded educational programming, and long-term sustainability measures. The updates will improve access and ensure the arboretum remains a resource for learners of all ages.
Fundraising was led by the Clinton Community College Paul B.Sharar Foundation. Jenny Boysen, former EICC board member, the foundation’s president and a Clinton Community College alumnus, praised the teamwork behind the effort.
“When we first heard about the idea, I wasn’t sure we could pull it off,” Boysen said. “But when you have leaders like Brian Kelly and Karen Vickers, and you’ve got people like Ann Eisenman running marathons around you, how can you say no?”
Boysen laughed as she recalled a memorable moment with Ann Eisenman, “Ann caught me while I was walking and asked for a letter of support for permeable pavers,” she said. “You don’t say no to Ann. I’m glad I didn’t.”
Eisenman, who coordinated planning, grant writing, and community outreach, said the renovation reflects the community’s values.
“This project is really about stewardship,” she said. “It’s about honoring what came before us and making sure the arboretum remains a place for learning, reflection and connection for everyone.”
Mayor Scott Maddasion, who lives nearby, said the arboretum is part of the daily life of many Clinton residents.
“This property is very highly trafficked, and a lot of people walk by my house to go right into the arboretum, and they're walking their dogs and things like that,” he said. “It's a wonderful piece of property to have in the middle of town and a treasure for our community. This project is just going to amp that up even more, so I am really excited to see this come to fruition.”
Liang Chee Wee, PhD, Chancellor of Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, drew parallels to his upbringing in Singapore, known for its lush green public spaces.
“This place offers a kind of welcome we all need,” he said. “It invites us to slow down and appreciate the world around us. That’s what makes it so important.”
As the ceremony came to a close, Kelly acknowledged the emotional significance of the arboretum to many Clinton residents.
“I can’t count the number of homes I’ve visited that have prom pictures or family portraits taken here,” he said. “This space is part of our shared story.”
He looked out at the crowd, smiling.
“Start thinking about your outfit,” he said. “We’ll see you back here in November.”
Features of the renovations and enhancements project include:
- The Events Center is a large area, offering a variety of seating options. The 2,033 square foot room features floor to ceiling windows overlooking the spacious outdoor deck and the Bickelhaupt Arboretum.
- The Deck with Railing will be outside the Events Center, an area that provides options for events at the Bickelhaupt Arboretum. At 2,200 square feet, the composite deck features sweeping views of the arboretum landscape with seating for 110.
- The Art Installation in the pool footprint is a feature of the Gathering Room. Artwork will be installed in the pool cavity of the Events Center with special lighting, and covered with glass flooring, creating a unique environment for family gatherings, special events, and conferences.
- Education Center Rooms feature 1,242 and 800 square feet of learning environment including a Library space.
- Welcome Pavilion is the entry point to the Bickelhaupt Arboretum from the parking lot. This open air structure provides a respite from the rain, and a place for learning materials.
- The Gathering Place is the first stop upon entry through the Welcome Pavilion. Accessible pathway, benches and shade are a wonderful place to experience the sight and sounds of the Bickelhaupt Arboretum.
- The Animal Exhibit is a walk through nature. Visitors of all ages will enjoy seeing animals in their native habitats.
To learn more about the arboretum visit eicc.edu/bickelhaupt.