History

Vines Gardens is part of a 90-acre private estate originally owned by Myrna and Charles “Boe” Adams. The land and the original house being purchased by the Adams’ in the mid-1980s. After several years of remodeling the 18,000 square foot home and developing the gardens, complete with a 3.5-acre lake, Mr. and Mrs. Adams donated the entire estate to Gwinnett County in memory of Mrs. Adams father, Odie S. Vines, in 1990. The stipulation was that the lands remain a county park.

Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation Department transformed 25 acres of the private estate into a public garden. The remaining portion still remains undeveloped.

In the spring of 1994, the operation of the facility was turned over to Vines Botanical Gardens Foundation, Inc.; a private, non-profit organization committed to the continued development of the gardens. During the following time period, operation of the gardens and restaurant was financed in part by Gwinnett County funds and by corporate and member sponsors. A small admission fee was also charged for entrance to the gardens.

Financial difficulties in February of 1997 finally forced the closure of the Vines Botanical Gardens and the area was scheduled to be closed to the public by September 1997. One local newspaper reported the land could be sold for future subdivision development. Thankfully, once again, Gwinnett County took over operation as a county park.

It should be noted that Vines Gardens are no longer referred to as a botanical garden. The upkeep of the various plant species and grounds would require far more personnel than the two permanent county staff members and additional volunteers who presently maintain the area.

In the summer of 1997 Gwinnett County leased the Manor House and the adjacent twenty five-acre gardens to Mr. John Gibb owner of the Little Gardens Restaurant in Lawrenceville, Georgia. The Manor House becoming the Vines Botanical Gardens Restaurant.

In 1998 John Gibb attended a G-Scale Garden Railroad show and immediately became interested in garden railroading. A few months later, after a considerable investment, he and members of the Georgia Garden Railroad Society designed and built the Vines Garden Railroad.

From the summer of 1998, and for two years, John Gibb, employees of the restaurant and volunteers from the Georgia Garden Railroad Society operated and maintained the railroad. Unfortunately, with more time required in the running of two restaurants, the upkeep of the railroad began to take its toll. With the difficulties in running and maintenance of the trains and the time required to undertake these additional duties, all operations ceased and the site finally closed in 2001.

From 2001 to 2003 the Vines Garden Railroad sat idle with the area becoming overgrown with weeds. During this time period the 25-acre gardens, including the garden railroad adjacent to the restaurant, reverted to the control of the Gwinnett County Parks Department.

In the spring of 2003, Lawrence McFall and County officials negotiated the reopening of the railroad as a public garden railroad. Lawrence, together with three volunteers, Hub Evens, Bob Giselbach and Larry McFall began to clear the site and restore the railroad equipment to an operational state. After several months of cleaning track, repairs to locomotives, rolling stock and buildings, the Vines Garden Railroad re-opened to the public in the late summer of 2003.

A relatively small group of volunteers continue to operate and maintain the equipment and with the additional assistance of three new members joining the group, Norman Allum, William Baker and Tom Cooper, it was now possible to increase the number of operating hours to include both Saturdays and Sundays.

Throughout 2004 and 2005 the railroad remained operational on Saturdays and Sundays from 10AM to 2PM [Weather permitting]. Also, during the week, “open days” were scheduled for visiting school children and special parties.