The site of many a Janesville prom and wedding photo is now an award winner.
Rotary Botanical Gardens will accept a Historic Preservation Excellence Award next week for its restoration of the Red Japanese Arch Bridge in the gardens.
Kelcie Baior, the director of development at the gardens, says fundraising for the project began in December, work will continue through 2025 and the restoration will be complete by spring 2026.
But don’t fret if you’re looking for a prom or senior photo spot this year — Baior says the bridge will still be open this spring and summer for the photo ops it’s become known for.
The bridge is an original feature of the gardens, which opened in 1991 after years of work to convert an old quarry into the gardens and Lions Pond. Baior says old light poles from the quarry were repurposed to be part of the bridge.
The gardens will receive its award from the Wisconsin Association of Historic Preservation Commissions in Racine on April 24.
