Gateway85 Community Improvement District honored former First Lady Rosalynn Carter with a new garden at Best Friend Park as part of Gwinnett County’s second annual Jimmy Carter Day celebration Friday.

Last year, Gateway85 unveiled its first major public art project - a vibrant mural featuring President Jimmy Carter along the boulevard that bears his name. This year, Gateway85 is expanding that tribute with new flower beds near the mural featuring 1,946 flowers, a nod to the year Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were married. The couple would have celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary this year.

Among the plantings will be 18 Rosalynn Carter camellias, representing her age when they married and paying tribute to her love of gardening.

Gateway85 Executive Director Robert Michener and Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson will plant the final camellias during the Jimmy Carter Day ceremony along with several CID board members and two County Commissioners. A commemorative plaque will also be installed at the garden to mark the tribute to President and Mrs. Carter.

“Jimmy Carter Boulevard is the heartbeat of our district, so there really isn't a better place to honor President and Mrs. Carter and their legacy of service,” said Robert Michener, executive director, Gateway85 CID. “Beautification is one of our four priorities, but it's about more than making the area look good. It creates pride in our district, and shows our businesses, property owners and community that we are paying attention and continuing to invest here.”

Gateway85 landscaping partner Gibson Landscape donated the design and installation of the flower beds, contributing several thousand dollars in pro bono work to help bring the tribute to life.

Together, the mural and new garden at Best Friend Park create a lasting tribute to President and Mrs. Carter along one of Gwinnett County’s most recognizable corridors and a permanent place on Jimmy Carter Boulevard honoring the Carters’ shared legacy and lifelong commitment to service.