The Green Bay Botanical Garden is nothing short of a community treasure. So, in an effort to generate more revenue to further its mission of connecting people and plants, as well as provide more value to the community, the organization is embarking on a $4M expansion project, The Grand Garden.
Slated to open spring 2018, The Grand Garden project hopes to develop 2.5 acres of existing garden space which includes an amphitheater to host touring acts and local talent which will accommodate more than 1,500 people in a casual, outdoor setting. It will provide support facilities to house restrooms, concessions, catering and classrooms, and showcase the organization’s nationally recognized horticultural collections.
“With the completion of our 2010 capital campaign, which gave us our Education Center, we’ve doubled our annual attendance,” said Susan Garot, Executive Director of the Green Bay Botanical Garden. ” We’re anticipating growth from this campaign as well.”Fundraising plans are in the works and will continue throughout spring and summer of this year. Opening festivities will include the nationally touring exhibit with Lego bricks called Nature Connects. This will be its first showing in Wisconsin.
Green Bay Botanical Garden opened for business in 1996, and through the development of programming and events, like its ever-popular winter WPS Garden of Lights, has grown to annually attract more than 130,000 visitors. A recent St. Norbert College economic impact study found the Garden’s impact on the community will exceed $6M this year. While providing 83 jobs per year, the community invests time and energy as well. Each year 450 or more volunteers support all phases of the Garden’s operations. Learn more about Green Bay Botanical Garden by visiting its website: www.gbbg.org.
