January 3, 2024
by Dave Plater Blue, Metro Desk Reporter
Catching up on some news from this past Summer (while The Bricklyn Eagle was closed due to the Newspaper Guild strike), the Broffman Arboretum opened its’ doors to the public at the end of June. Here’s our report.
Located adjacent to Bricklyn’s Downtown North Station, the Broffman Arboretum is the fruit of several years’ work by the Realm of Bricklyn Gardeners Association (RBGA) and the Bricklyn Chamber of Commerce, supported by funding from the 2022 Downtown Bricklyn Improvement Bond Issue and a generous donation by Dave Tiler Broffman, CEO of Dunk Them Donuts, of the lot on which the arboretum was built.
Linda Plater Meadows, President of the RBGA, told us that the new Broffman Arboretum “will provide a peaceful, aesthetically pleasing environment for both residents and visitors to Bricklyn,” while noting that “green spaces have been linked to mental health benefits, stress reduction, and overall well-being.”
“RBGA members,” Meadows added, “have signed up to volunteer as hosts at the arboretum, and look forward to answering visitors’ questions.”
Meadows also expressed appreciation to Planning Chief Tim Brickedy for helping shepherd through zoning changes that authorized the arboretum to be built on the site of the parking lot adjoining the west end of the train station, while also eliminating setbacks from the station. In unanimously approving the proposed zoning changes, the Federal Council found that the benefits of having the arboretum far outweighed the loss of ten parking spaces.
Tom Brickorti, head of the Bricklyn Chamber of Commerce, praised the arboretum, pointed to the “delight visitors arriving in Bricklyn will have in finding a green, restful spot adjoining the train station.”
Brickorti also thanked Dave Tiler Broffman for “helping turn the Chamber’s and Gardeners Association’s dreams into reality.” As Brickorti said to us with a smile, “folks buying a donut and cup of coffee from the Dunk Them Donuts shop inside the train station can now dunk their donuts while sitting under the shady trees of the Broffman Arboretum.” ✥
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