HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 9205 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9245
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council March 2, 2410
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SUBJECT: Fort Worth Botanic Garden Master Plan
The purpose of this report is to update the City Council on the process of the development of a
new Master Plan for the Fort Worth Botanic Garden.
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 2045, 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
�,o�o Committee includes almost 40 non-city staff members with representatives from the Botanic
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Garden support organizations, Botanical Research Institute of Texas (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).
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 southem portion,
circulation and separation of vehicular traffic and Garden pedestrians, wayfinding and land
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 Master Plan recommends
that consideration be given to explore alternative management and operational models to
determine the most effective direction for the future of the Garden. That willingness to embrace
public/private partnerships has led the Fort forth Zoo, for example; to be ranked consistently in
the top 5 zoos in the country.
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INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9205
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council March 2, 2010
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SUBJECT: Fort Worth Botanic Garden Master Plan
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At their February 27, 2008 meeting, the Parks & Community Services Advisory Board received an
overview of the proposed Master Plan. On March 25,2008, during Pre-Council the City Council
was given an update on the master plan and National Register of Historic Places process. The
public was invited to attend two open meetings on April 16, 2008 at the Garden Center to gather
input. On May 19, 2008, the Arlington Heights Neighborhood Association received preliminary
plans of the Garden's master plan and was asked to provide input on the proposed plan.
On September 29, 2008, the Committee received an update on the Plan and was asked to
provide input on the proposed plan. Comments received were discussed and revisions were
made to the plan in the ensuing months. On November 10, 2009, the Committee received a final
update and unanimously voted to endorse the proposed Master Plan. The Fort Worth Garden
Club and Fort Worth Botanical Society boards reviewed and unanimously endorsed the Master
Plan at their January 2010 meetings.
On February 24, 2010, the Parks and Community Services Advisory Board conducted a Work
Session on the proposed Master Plan and then considered it during their regular meeting. At that
meeting, the Board voted to delay action on staffs recommendation to the City Council to
endorse the Fort Worth Botanic Garden Master Plan until a final public meeting is held. After the
public meeting (date has not been set yet), the comments received will be compiled and
presented at a Future of the Garden Committee meeting. Once the Committee reviews any
additional comments, a vote to endorse the plan will occur. This item will then go back to the
Parks and Community Services Advisory Board for their review and subsequent recommendation
to the City Council.
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.
Dare A. Raster, P. E,
i City Manager
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