The purpose of this Mayor and Council Communication is to recognize the efforts of the Fort Worth Garden Club (FWGC) in improving facilities and experiences at the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens (FWBG) Beginning in 2012, the FWGC recognized the need to restore the historic Rose Garden at the FWBG. The Rose Garden, opened in 1934, had served generations of Fort Worthians and was showing its age. For the next five years, the FWGC raised $643,678.00 in private donations from numerous foundations and individuals and donated $363,398.00 in its own funds and from funds generated in the FWBG and managed by the Deborah Beggs Moncrief Garden Center Committee. Together with, $216,551.00 contributed from City project funds and operating budgets, these donations of $1,007,076.00 resulted in $1,223,627.00 in total improvements to the Rose Garden.
Restoration work over the life of the project was not limited to, but included: - Complete restoration of the masonry and wood of the historic Shelter House, a key component of the Rose Garden
- Major restoration in the Oval Rose Garden
- Restoration of masonry and woodwork on the historic Colonnade Repairs to pools and water features
- Secured an artist to design and carve a new Lion's Head fountain to replace the historic one destroyed by vandals
- Design and installation of landscape plans evoking the Villa Lante, the Italian villa on which the original plans were based
- Installed over $100,000 in new, historically appropriate lighting, improving public safety and allowing use of the Rose Garden for revenue producing evening events
- Replacement of failing cedar arbors in the Republic of Texas Garden with new ipe wood arbors
- Addition of a 450 foot walk connecting the east sides of the Oval Rose Garden, Republic of Texas Garden, and Lower Rose Garden
- Clearing invasive plants from a 300' x 75' slope and replanting with desirable native ornamentals
- Replacement of 26 ornate wooden trellis panels that needed frequent replacement with durable metal replicas
The FWGC also saw a need to update and upgrade the restrooms in the Deborah Beggs Garden Center to be more conducive and functional to serve increased visitation. There was also a need to renovate and update the Redbud Hall meeting rooms to provide for increased sound barriers between the two rooms and improve the layout of the kitchenette to meet the customers' needs. Both of these areas are from the original construction of the Garden Center in 1986. The Fort Worth Botanic Garden is located in Council District 7 and serves the entire City of Fort Worth. This M&C does not request approval of a contract with a business entity. |
