1. home and garden

CONTACT
Mark Fauser
City of Marion Marketing
[765) 661-4621
[email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
THE GARDENS OF MATTER PARK HAS BEEN CHOSEN
AS ONE OF SEVEN PROVEN WINNERS® SIGNATURE
GARDENS IN THE U.S.
The Gardens of Matter Park has joined this elite group of designated Proven Winners®
Signature Gardens: The Hotel Iroquois on Mackinac Island; The Kentucky Governor’s
Mansion (Frankfort); The Illinois Executive Mansion and Gardens (Springfield); Grand
Tradition Estate and Gardens in Fallbrook, California; Buffalo and Erie County Botanical
Gardens (New York); and the Meadow Brook Estate in Rochester, Michigan.
The Gardens of Matter Park will now be showcased along with these six prestigious
gardens across the United States.
Marion, Indiana (May 3, 2015) When Mayor Wayne Seybold hired Doug Darga, in the
parks department, he knew exactly what he was doing. He was hiring a visionary, who
would design and create The Gardens of Matter Park. Doug’s passion, work ethic and
desire for excellence have spread throughout The Gardens. He has inspired volunteers to
serve and help, he has inspired groups to become pro-active, citizens have purchased
statues, fountains, flowers, and gazebos. Doug’s skills are not only enjoyed throughout
The Gardens and park, but he also designed and built The Gardens House, which has
proven to be a revenue generator, and is booked at least a year out.
Doug Darga, Designer of the Gardens of Matter Park!
The Gardens of Matter Park has become a true destination point for neighboring cities
and individuals who want their wedding, graduation, reunion, concert or
corporate/special event to be held here. The Gardens are a showcase of unique garden
features, colorful flower selections, and unique plantings that are of extreme high quality
like the Proven Winners® brand.
While using the Proven Winners® plant varieties, Doug learned of this exclusive
designation awarded to a select group of gardens over the past 5 years.
To become a Proven Winners® Signature Garden, the garden should be a high profile
local and regional showcase. Doug felt The Gardens had a chance, but he would need to
convince the nation’s #1 plant brand, Proven Winners®, that The Gardens of Matter Park
in Marion, Indiana was worthy of this designation.
That is when Doug asked his wife, Dawn Darga, a national Addy Award Winner in
Marketing and Design, to pull together a gorgeous website and marketing materials to
catch their eye … and she did just that. Tom Ewing, responsible for Landscape Program
Development for Proven Winners®, was impressed and agreed to come to Marion based
on what he saw.
When Tom arrived in Marion on a dreary, wet Sunday - he couldn’t believe it, but The
Gardens were everything he had thought - and more. Doug’s passion, knowledge and
creation of these gardens opened the door for Marion, IN to become a Proven Winners®
Signature Garden!
“This is an honor we cherish and appreciate – to be named in such an elite class of
gardens across the United States,” said Mayor Wayne Seybold. It is a privilege to work
with such a quality product and team- like Proven Winners®. The Mayor went on to say,
“This designation is important to our quality of life and sense of place! It will help give
Marion more prestige and give us yet another destination point thanks to our
Proven Winners® Signature Gardens designation and to our very own Doug Darga!”
Mayor Wayne Seybold