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The thing I don't like about the renovations is the cartoon-like style it has. The entire area, except for Verbolten's plaza looks unfinished to me. They need to blend it in with the old style. I know the games department won over most of the area, but that is no excuse for poor quality design. Look at how Tampa recently took some of the same games and blended it into the surrounding area beautifully. It is still one of my favorite areas of the park, but it looks too typical of any other theme/amusement park. I hope it gets some love because I still believe in their ability to fix it properly.
 
I am surprised at how much was removed in such a short time; however, I did expect the area to loose it over time. I've always felt Oktoberfest was one of the hamlets that attracted more people due to the fact is has some of the most rides compared to other hamlets and in turn, they need to make more space on the pathways for people. Just imagine the narrow tight pathway of the Wild Reserve and apply it to Oktoberfest, while it may look beautiful it would get dreadfully crowded.

I will secretly morn the loss of the flowers now.
 
Party Rocker, other than the opening up of the path beside Der Marktplatz, and maybe two planter removals, nothing was gained in terms of pathway area. In fact, Beste Brezeln und Bier took out a large chunk of pathway space that was there before. The tables are everywhere in the new Bier Garten, so the removal of that planter did not constitute any more space.

Even so, nothing costitutes the removal of trees and flower beds that were in no way effected by the renovations. Such as the trees in between V-bolts queue and the main pathway, and the flower bed and ivy in the planter beside the Festhaus. By the way, I'd rather be it more crowded and shady, than less crowded(not much so, for that matter) under the blistering hot sun.
 
The Evolution of Shrubbery at BGW Part 9: Killarney

Killarney is a hamlet that holds a place in many people's heart. Whether it be it that you love hanging around in Grogan's Pub or Annie's Cafe, the food at Grogan's Grill, or the most beloved Celtic Fyre. Many people can always find something they like in Killarney. For me, the landscaping is definitely a huge factor in my love for the hamlet, from the crawling Wisteria on trellises and buildings, to the countless small flower beds found against many of the shops. Since 2009, the shrubbery has stayed primarily the same(as it is perfect already). But there is one addition that I'd like to analyze.

GUll2ti.jpg


In 2009 the small group, Dublin Over, ceased performing on the main pathways of Killarney. They used to have a wagon as a backdrop in the space seen here. However, with them the wagon ceased being on the pathway in Killarney. It created a little 'dead space' where the area became very bare. As you see here, the park added a couple potted plants and wooden boxes to not make the dead space so noticeable. Just this year, however a rainbow bridge that was usually only around for Illuminights, and opening weekends became a permanent addition. Although its looks are much disputed, from my viewpoint it created a perfect back drop for the new Killarney Village Band. On both sides of the bridge there are two flower beds. Since this bridge has become permanent during the main season, I decided to include it as an addition. Here's what one of those flower beds looks like:

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Well, that's it for the brief Killarney edition of The Evolution of Shrubbery. Have any new thoughts on the newly added rainbow bridge?
 
The Evolution of Shrubbery at BGW Part 10: New France

New France is definitely a unique hamlet. Being that it is the only area in the park not based off a country in Europe, it's stands out very much. Despite it not exactly fitting the park's overall theme, people all around still love the many aspects to the hamlet. Whether it be the food, shopping, or atmosphere, people can always find something for them in New France. Landscaping-wise, it could be known for being one of the shadiest, if not the shadiest area in the park. There has been a moderate amount of changes to this hamlet, seeing additions and removals. Now let's see what exactly has changed.

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This is a tree that was located outside of what is today, the Village Candle Carver's shop(the Bitter Root shop back then). Between 2009 and now it was removed and sadly, not replaced. A picture of what it looks like today is coming soon.



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It feels funny to say that everything in this picture has changed, but it truly has. Starting in 2011 when the Canadium Paladium, the shaded structure to the right in this photo, was removed to make way for Le Catapult. Then most recently, the restrooms, which is the building in this photo, were replaced just this year. With this set of changes the three trees you see in this picture were removed for the new restrooms. Here's what this area, and the new restrooms look like today:

Ks2N8li.jpg




ZTxgHkU.jpg


If you look up towards Caribou Train Station(this is as close as street view would get to it) you'll see a lush flower bed in between the entrance and exit pathways. Between 2009 and now, this flower bed was sadly removed. It was only replaced by a couple of Azaleas. Here's what they look like today:

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LzH8B4d.jpg

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I decided to do a two changes in one here since they are in the same area, and  are the same changes. In both of these photos, the boulders were removed in exchange for flower pots as seen in these pictures:

t7VRZv7.jpg

esWIa6o.jpg




41gUQzS.jpg

C7bGLvN.jpg


I've decided to do a joint change again, as these two pictures are in the same area, and have similar changes. Just like the last change, pots were added in each bed seen here. However, this came at a loss of the grassy plants and azaleas in the planter closest to Trapper's Smokehouse. Here's what these two planters look like with their new pots today:

VBaYxeN.jpg

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AcXZlSQ.jpg

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Yes, another joint change, because both of these changes are almost exactly the same. The first picture is of a bed of plants up against Three Rivers Snacks, the next is of a bed of plants and an evergreen against Trapper's Smokehouse. In both of these pictures the grassy plants have been removed in place for flower beds. Here's what they look like today:

XsDkXLU.jpg

pcn9cdE.jpg


Well that's it for the unexpectedly large Evolution of Shrubbery post for New France. Any thoughts on these changes?
 
Matthew said:
The Evolution of Shrubbery at BGW Part 10: New France

New France is definitely a unique hamlet. Being that it is the only area in the park not based off a country in Europe, it's stands out very much. Despite it not exactly fitting the park's overall theme, people all around still love the many aspects to the hamlet. Whether it be the food, shopping, or atmosphere, people can always find something for them in New France. Landscaping-wise, it could be known for being one of the shadiest, if not the shadiest area in the park. There has been a moderate amount of changes to this hamlet, seeing additions and removals. Now let's see what exactly has changed.

URALlOv.jpg


This is a tree that was located outside of what is today, the Village Candle Carver's shop(the Bitter Root shop back then). Between 2009 and now it was removed and sadly, not replaced. A picture of what it looks like today is coming soon.



todQ4Pk.jpg


It feels funny to say that everything in this picture has changed, but it truly has. Starting in 2011 when the Canadium Paladium, the shaded structure to the right in this photo, was removed to make way for Le Catapult. Then most recently, the restrooms, which is the building in this photo, were replaced just this year. With this set of changes the three trees you see in this picture were removed for the new restrooms. Here's what this area, and the new restrooms look like today:

Ks2N8li.jpg




ZTxgHkU.jpg


If you look up towards Caribou Train Station(this is as close as street view would get to it) you'll see a lush flower bed in between the entrance and exit pathways. Between 2009 and now, this flower bed was sadly removed. It was only replaced by a couple of Azaleas. Here's what they look like today:

gii8jaA.jpg




LzH8B4d.jpg

V35H4Ud.jpg


I decided to do a two changes in one here since they are in the same area, and  are the same changes. In both of these photos, the boulders were removed in exchange for flower pots as seen in these pictures:

t7VRZv7.jpg

esWIa6o.jpg




41gUQzS.jpg

C7bGLvN.jpg


I've decided to do a joint change again, as these two pictures are in the same area, and have similar changes. Just like the last change, pots were added in each bed seen here. However, this came at a loss of the grassy plants and azaleas in the planter closest to Trapper's Smokehouse. Here's what these two planters look like with their new pots today:

VBaYxeN.jpg

IEyyKGs.jpg




AcXZlSQ.jpg

qJM9nYe.jpg


Yes, another joint change, because both of these changes are almost exactly the same. The first picture is of a bed of plants up against Three Rivers Snacks, the next is of a bed of plants and an evergreen against Trapper's Smokehouse. In both of these pictures the grassy plants have been removed in place for flower beds. Here's what they look like today:

XsDkXLU.jpg

pcn9cdE.jpg


Well that's it for the unexpectedly large Evolution of Shrubbery post for New France. Any thoughts on these changes?












Great post!!!!
 
It's a shame that we can't get street view of New France from before the new smoke house. I'm finding that I'm having a hard time remembering what was in that spot before they moved the smokehouse there. I'm assuming it was trees and landscaping?
 
Park maps from the past indicate it was mostly forest. There was a pass processing building at one point, and they also had a path to go behind the Royal Palace Theater to a petting zoo for a short time.
 
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The Evolution of Shrubbery at BGW Part 11: The Wild Reserve

The Wild Reserve is the park's only hamlet that is solely dedicated to animal attractions. Containing two animal shows, and many animal habitats. Animal lovers come here to relax and enjoy the peace and serenity. In terms of landscaping, The Wild reserve is truly the all around package. It has abundant shade, lush plants, and beautiful flowerbeds spread all throughout the hamlet. It has only undergone a few changes since 2009. Let's see what those are.

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This is a picture of a shrub beside a flower bed behind Lorikeet Glen. This area is located in the center of a tucked away(very peaceful) area near the Cabanas and Conservation station. Since 2009 these shrubs have been ripped out and the entire area has been turned into a flower bed. Here's what that flower bed looks like today.

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This is a tree outside of Wolf Haven Theatre, where the Secret Life of Predators plays. Like many other trees with their own landscape island, pots were added around the stump. Here's what these flower pots look like today:

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This is a picture of a tree coming through an observation deck to the Wolf Haven habitat and viewing area. It's truly things like this that make people know that they really try to preserve as many trees as they possibly can. However, today this tree is no longer there, it has been removed for whatever reason. Here's what the observation deck looks like today without the tree sticking through it:

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This is a picture of the old Eagle's Ridge habitat. Many of you may remember that it went through major renovations in 2013. This came at a loss for many trees in the habitat. Mostly, the trees toward the back of the habitat remained, while the ones towards the pathway were removed. I believe this helps the viewer see the Eagles more easily, as they did tend to block the direct view sometimes, but it is a loss none the less. Here's what Eagle's Ridge looks like today:

IacpV8b.jpg


Well, that just about sums it up for the final hamlet in the Evolution of Shrubbery at BGW! I will say, there is more to come though.
 
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