The Fort Worth Botanic Garden is a treasured spot in the city and it’s making sure its future is as bright as its past. The garden is embarking on a 20-year master plan with the driving idea to connect horticulture, botanical science + the Fort Worth community — and it wants your input on the next steps.
A little backstory
The garden is the oldest major botanic garden in Texas with 100 acres of property and 2,500+ species of plants — not to mention, it was named one of the most beautiful gardens in the country. In 2020, the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) — an organization committed to environmental sustainability — took over the city’s responsibility of managing the garden to optimize the campus.
The Master Plan
The comprehensive master plan — created by Dallas-based landscape architecture firm Studio Outside — aims to inform the direction and priorities for the next 20 years of infrastructure and facility improvements. Many improvements are already underway or have been completed, like the Rose Garden.
The priorities of the Master Plan include:
🌳 A shared mission and vision that embraces the strengths of both parent institutions.
🌳 Sustainable buildings and resilient landscapes.
🌳 A design concept that celebrates the history of the institutions.
🌳 A program that improves guest experience and growth in generated revenue.
How you can get involved
The garden is asking for public feedback + holding community forums that focus on the city’s rich and growing diversity. Here are a few ways you can have your voice heard:
- Wed., Jan. 26 at 6:30 p.m. | Rockwood Park Golf Course Clubhouse
- Thurs., Jan. 27 at 6:30 p.m. | Como Community Center
- Sat., Jan. 29 at 10 a.m. | MLK Jr. Community Center
- Wed., Feb. 2 at 6:30 p.m. | Chisholm Trail Community Center
- Thurs., Feb. 3 at 6:30 p.m. | Heritage Church
A quick reminder, the Botanic Garden is closed for winter break but will reopen this Sat., Jan. 15. For a full list of garden hours + tickets, click here.
