A land to enchant all ages

Published 3:02 am Wednesday, June 17, 2009

By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Few people can find their passion and actually make their living combining two of the things they love the most.
Botanical architect Paul Busse of Alexandria, Ky. has been in southwestern Michigan bringing a delightful new addition to Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve.
The Summer Solstice Celebration on Father's Day weekend is the grand opening of the new Fernwood Garden Railway, a railroad garden designed specifically for Fernwood by Busse.
The garden includes three G-scale (garden-scale) trains running simultaneously over trestles and landscaped mountains, through tunnels, and past a lake, waterfall, and stream.
The lowest level of track will delight the little ones, with the butterfly train car, zipping in and out of the mystery tunnels. They also will love the walk-under bridges and walk-through tunnels.
Many of the tunnels are actually hollow tree trunks, found and preserved by Busse's friends.
Scale models of more than a dozen buildings have been on display at Fernwood waiting their placement within the garden. The most well known in this area are the Niles Historic Amtrak Depot and Buchanan's Pear's Mill.
The children will recognize many of the other buildings, some of which have a fairy tale theme and include the Three Little Pigs, Rapunzel's tower and the Old Woman in the Shoe,
The buildings are all made of nature materials, incorporating tiny pods, branches and stones. They are expected to have a life span of at least 15 years. The train actually passes through the covered bridge.
In the future, more buildings will be added to Fernwood's train garden, including a replica of the familiar St. Joseph Lighthouse. The designer has even gotten permission to make a replica of the famous "Golden Dome" of Notre Dame.
Busse's unique railroad gardens have been leading public gardens throughout the country, including the Chicago, Philadelphia, New York botanic gardens.
Covered bridges, depots, famous places, including Wrigley Field, have been reproduced to live in his enchanting train gardens.
His love for being outdoors as a child and living next to a retired railroad engineer, who gave kids rides on a train, combined into this livelong passion.
Born in Kansas City, Kan., a very early photo of Busse, as infant, shows him riding in the caboose, which was published in the Kansas City Star.
He attended Miami University but didn't really fit into either mold, botany or architecture.
"I really wanted to do everything," he said. Talking to an architect, he was told they were creative only a few weeks out of a year – something which didn't really please him.
He found his true calling as a landscape architect – making creative outdoor living spaces.
When his son Brian was born, he discovered the G-scale trains.
His train garden for the governor of Ohio for the State Fair brought more people into the fair.
"He loved trains and it was a hit," Busse added.
With each new garden, Busse learns how to make the next one better. He was evolved into using only natural materials.
His seven foot trestle on one of his first projects, he thought was "the neatest thing." Now one spans 30 feet in the Fernwood garden.
His train garden at the Amerifloral show in Columbus, Ohio, was seen by the new director at Fernwood, Carol Line, and many others as it became the cover of a national magazine.
Since the board had been interested in a train garden as a new exhibit, she sought out Busse.
"He is the best in the business," Line said.
The exhibit still wouldn't be possible without volunteers and one is a retired engineer himself, John Harville of Berrien Springs, was a conductor for 41 years, starting on the New York Central.
He actually brought his trains though Niles, stopping at the Historical Amtrak Depot, which is one of the major building in Busse's design.
"Every depot should be designated as a Historical building, everyone is unique," Harville added.
When he retired, Harville "got into Fernwood heavy, as a volunteer, helping with the bluebird trail. He showed off a camera at Fernwood, which allows you to see the inside of the nest the birds are building, something Busse had also done himself.
"We have common interests and have become friends," Harville said.
Harville offered his home as a place for Busse to stay when they were in production.
Busse has also been enjoying the dishes that Fernwood's chef, Tim Carrigan has provided for lunch.
"Tim is awesome. I am surprised how wonderful the food service is," Busse said. "If we lived close it would be our first choice for lunch."
Busse has five employees and while he is working at the site, others are back in Kentucky making buildings of historic sites, such as the depot from photos, which capture all sides and even the roof, found through the library of Congress and through the Internet.
"I incorporate local touches," he said. "It's fun to have different highlights each year."
He has also made many covered bridges for the trains to pass through. These are "romantic," he said, as are lighthouses.
"The train garden appeals to any age," Busse said, "even though those middle aged might not want to admit it."
"It is really exciting, something really good for families with young children. That is going to help Fernwood increase attendance," Harville added.
Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve is found at 13988 Range Line Road, off Walton Road, between Buchanan and Niles. Visit www.fernwoodbotanical.org for more details on the railway garden. And learn more about the work of Paul Busse at www.appliedimagination.biz.