Contributed
The Sandhills Horticultural Gardens, located on the campus of Sandhills Community College, is poised to expand its venue and activity space.
Lee Bunch, the site’s executive director, said the gardens plans to install upgraded fencing and a visitor counter, allowing for a more accessible visitor experience. In a release, the college said the project will be funded through a $75,000 grant.
“We are so excited to get the grant for decorative fencing around the Ball Visitors Center and complete the chain link fencing around the gardens,” Bunch said. “We hope the work will be completed this summer.”
The grant was awarded through the Moore County Tourism Development Authority’s 2025 one-time project fund.
“Few places capture the balance of small town charm and world-class appeal like Moore County,” the authority said in its grant. “Sandhills Community College contributes to this reputation not only as a center for education, but also as a cultural destination, hosting athletics, diverse performing arts, and, most prominently, the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens.”
The gardens operate as a 32-acre space designed to welcome nature enthusiasts, artists, families and event-goers. It includes walking trails, bird sanctuary, curated plant collections, sculptures, lectures and weddings at no charge.
“To make our gardens a more inviting, secure and marketable destination, Sandhills Community College is undertaking (the) Gateway to the Gardens project,” said Bunch. “This project will install decorative and utility fencing, strategically placed gates, new doors, and a visitor counter. The decorative fencing will create a defined gateway that welcomes guests, establishes a central entry point for accurate visitation tracking, and enhances the aesthetic appeal of the property. Perimeter utility fencing will provide much-needed security and separation for the entirety of the gardens.”
The fencing will also allow for two new rentable lawn areas, together totaling more than 15,000 square feet, that can be used to host weddings, festivals and community events. Additional gates will offer private entry for wedding processions in its Sir Walter Raleigh Garden, as well as provide convenient access for caterers and vendors throughout, strengthening the gardens’ appeal as a premier event venue.
“With secure, clearly defined spaces, additional rentable areas, improved marketing potential, and the data to measure impact through daily visitor counts, the gardens will be positioned to capture more destination weddings, festivals and special events, each generating overnight stays and boosting the Moore County economy,” said Bunch. “We hope the gardens can evolve from a cherished local treasure into a regional destination that embodies the beauty, culture and hospitality that makes Moore County unique. There is no other horticultural garden of this magnitude in Moore County.”
