HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 9271 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9271
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
June 22, 2010
Page 1 of 2
�. SUBJECT: FORT WORTH BOTANIC GARDEN MASTER PLAN
The June 22, 2010 City Council agenda includes M&C G-16963 recommending that the City
Council adopt the 2010 Fort Worth Botanic Garden Master Plan. The purpose of this Informal
Report is to provide the City Council an overview of the public input and development process for
the proposed Master Plan.
Background
In 2004, the Botanic Garden received a grant from the American Association of Museums,
through the Institute of Museum and Library Services for a Museum Assessment Program (MAP)
Institutional Assessment. On-site meetings and research were conducted by external assessors
during May 2005 and the final assessment report was provided in September 2005. The
assessment emphasized the Botanic Garden's immediate need for a revised Master Plan and a
Strategic Plan. Moreover, the report stated that the Master Plan should consider the physical map
of the Botanic Garden reflecting desired landscape changes, improvements and additions.
Further, that the Strategic Plan should involve an inclusive process as well as a plan of action to
guide the Garden into the future by including major goals, specific objectives and action steps.
As a result of the MAP assessment, in 2005, a Future of the Garden Committee (Committee) was
formed to represent all past, current and future Garden major stakeholders. The Committee's
purpose was to guide the process for preparation of a Master Plan for the Botanic Garden. The
Committee involved over 40 citizens including representatives from the Botanic Garden support
organizations, Botanical Research Institute of Texas, Inc. (BRIT), the City of Fort Worth, and
other community volunteers. Gideon Toal was hired in 2007 to facilitate the development of a new
Master Plan for the Garden. Andropogon, a design firm in Philadelphia with national and
international experience, was chosen to assist the committee in their endeavor.
Funds were raised to develop the Master Plan. Donations received included $25,000 each from
the Botanical Society, the Fort Worth Garden Club, and BRIT. The Moncrief Endowment Fund
contributed $50,000. On March 6, 2007, these funds were accepted in addition to a $125,000
match from the City of Fort Worth in the Park Gas Lease Project Fund being allocated to partially
fund the Master Plan (M&C G-15626).
Major Elements of the Master Plan
The Master Plan's focus is conservation and environmental stewardship. Design emphasis is
placed upon accessibility, connectivity within the Garden, education and learning, and
maintaining the respect for the Garden as a special place. Some of the major considerations
include the development of a Children's Garden, preservation of the historic southern portion,
circulation and separation of vehicular traffic and Garden pedestrians, wayfinding and land
if acquisition to the southwest at Montgomery Street and Interstate 30 for a new entrance and
parking area and to serve as a gateway to the Cultural District. The Plan does not specify future
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9271
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 22, 2010
e.x"9 2 Page 2 of 2
SUBJECT: FORT WORTH BOTANIC GARDEN MASTER PLAN
I
management or fees. These omissions were instrumental in achieving unanimous endorsements
from the various groups.
Public Input Process
On March 25,2008, the City Council was given an update on the Master Plan and National
Register of Historic Places process. On March 2, 2010 (IR9205) the City Council was given a
written update on the plan. In addition to the Future of the Garden Committee meetings which
were held from October 2005 to May 2010, public input was received at three (3) public meetings
held in April 2008 and May 2010 at the Botanic Garden Center. The Fort Worth Garden Club and
Fort Worth Botanical Society boards reviewed and unanimously endorsed the Master Plan at their
January 2010 meetings. On May 11, 2010, the Future of the Garden Committee unanimously
endorsed the proposed plan.
The Plan was also reviewed by the Parks and Community Services Advisory Board on February
27, 2008 and February 24, 2010 and the Board unanimously endorsed the Master Plan on May
26, 2010 and recommended that the City Council adopt the Plan.
x Should you have any questions regarding this information, please contact Richard Zavala,
Director, Parks and Community Services Department at 817.392.5704 or Charles W. Daniels at
817.392.6183.
1 - A-'r I
Da a A. Fisseler, . E.
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS