| It is with the greatest of appreciation and respect that the citizens of the Austin, Texas area express our heartfelt thanks to Mark Orton and family for this generous donation to each and every one of us, in memory of Lauren. In addition to being a loving wife, daughter, sibling, and friend, she was truly an irreplacable human being who always strived for peace, health, love, and happiness for all. |
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Early in 2005, Zilker Botanical
Garden had a special visitor. Mark
Orton wanted to remember and
honor his wife, Lauren, with a
memorial in the garden they often
visited while she was a student at the
University of Texas. In 2003, Lauren
died in a tragic whitewater rafting
accident.
While Mark visited with us, he
decided to fund a project in the
Taniguchi Garden, a place that he
and Lauren visited often while living
in Austin. The project involves the
reconstruction of an existing stone
pathway to meet ADA guidelines. Lauren’s Trail will begin at the north
end of the Taniguchi Garden's Koi Pond and end at the
Tea House. A Japanese lantern and
other architectural features will be a
part of this generous memorial gift of
$20,000.
The Horticulture Committee, under
Taniguchi Garden Steering Committee member Don Freeman’s direction, continues to make excellent progress in the planning and construction of Lauren’s Trail. Completion will be prior to Zilker Garden Festival, March 31st - April 1st, 2007.
If you want to know more about how
this young woman celebrated and
enjoyed her life, go to www.LaurenOrton.com. We are
honored by Mark’s generous gift to
Zilker Botanical Garden.
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