CELIA'S RAINBOW GARDEN

Celia is remembered as her garden grows
If it's true that there is a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, then Celia's Rainbow Gardens has been truly blessed with riches.

Located in the Quartzsite Town Park, this eight-acre botanical garden and nature trail has become a beautiful desert oasis made possible with the help of many hands and hearts.

Started almost three years ago, one year after the death of 8-year-old Celia Winer, this project has become a real community effort. Many of the trail areas are sponsored by different groups in town.

Courtesy photo

A public works crew in Quartzsite prepares to plant this saguaro in Celia's Garden.

The Rock and Gem Society has been busy lining the trails with rocks they've brought in from its different outings, and members will be building their pavilion over the winter. The pavilion will be an open building with a roof housing a display area for raw and polished rocks that are found in this region.

"These people have been involved since the beginning," Celia's mother, Joanne Winer, said. "They have been wonderful to work with. We are really looking forward to seeing the building finished and the displays put in. The funds for the pavilion were donated by Tyson Wells Corporation."

The Quartzsite Historical Society has donated a miniature wooden pioneer village which will be put on display on a raised bed. A replica of Quartzsite will also be included in this trail, along with a center bed filled with old pioneer equipment, flowers and cactus. This will show the history of the area around the turn of the century.

Last spring the Veterans Association decided to adopt a trail. It has designed a planting area and plans to put in trees and benches in memory of some of members who have died.

Support has also come from other groups, with the Quartzsite Chamber of Commerce donating trees and a bench, and the Senior Center planting trees in someone's memory. The GFWC has planted a tree also.

"We are hoping all the clubs in town and all the RV parks will become involved," Celia's father, Paul Winer, said. "We rely on the support of the residents and snowbirds alike and have been able to accomplish a lot, thanks to donations and volunteers."

Many local businesses and individuals have been constantly involved and have given a lot of support. The community response has been great and much work has been done thanks to all of the help received.

One of the biggest personal supporters has been Mac McWain, a man from Washington who comes to Quartzsite every winter. He became involved when he heard about the gardens and decided to plant a tree in memory of his 17-year-old granddaughter, Roxanne, who died in a car accident. "I think of him as my right hand," Joanne Winer said. "I couldn't have done it without him. He helps with the watering, planting, moving rocks and dirt, hauling trees and has organized several friends to make molds for benches."

Courtesy photo

The mining equipment shown here was donated the Bureau of Reclamation. Veterans and BLM volunteers helped to arrange the display.

Another big contributor is the Bureau of Land Management rangers from Yuma. They became involved thanks to Ranger Gary Rowell, who is considered Joanne's left-hand man. He has organized many work sessions, gotten donations for the entrance rocks, and has had many types of materials donated, including the mining display.

"The rangers from Yuma have been the greatest," Joanne Winer said. "Not only do they come all this way to help work, but they have built a beautiful display area in their Yuma office that tells about the gardens and shows pictures of their involvement. It has been a wonderful experience working with them all. We really appreciate all they have done."

When completed, Celia's Rainbow Gardens will be the largest and perhaps, only free botanical gardens in the state. As well as the Pioneer Trail and Rock and Gem display area, there will be an information area, a chapel trail, an Indian artifact area and a 100-seat amphitheater for group meetings and functions.

There will also be an area at the entrance with a waterfall and birdbaths that will be surrounded by a wall containing the hand prints of the kids from Celia's school. Some classes have already planted cactus beds, and hopefully more will be planted by the other grades in the future.

The Winers are hoping that Quartzsite will be recognized for all the efforts of the townspeople, businesses and snowbirds who have helped Celia's dream become a reality. "She always wanted to make a difference in this world, to make the world a better place," Joanne Winer said. "She loved everything to do with nature. This project has captured her dreams, and the people who have become involved have made it possible."

Celia's Rainbow Gardens is funded solely by donations and the sale of Celia's cards and gifts. All work is done by volunteers ,and most of the plants and cacti are donated as well. If you are interested in becoming involved, or wish to put in a tree or a bench for someone, call Joanne of Paul Winer at 927-6551.