University of Missouri Extension

George B. Deatz - on April 4, 2008

The new Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center is going to be a tremendous learning tool for the residents of southwest Missouri. School systems both public and private will be able to use this area as an outdoor botanical laboratory with hands on opportunities to interact with many varieties of plants from grasses to trees. Individuals will be able to come to the Botanical Center and its gardens to see exactly what a plant might look like growing in their own yard and learn how to care for it. It is currently exciting to know that at both Close Memorial Park and Nathanael Greene Park that many of the gardens and features are already in place and being enjoyed by the public.

We are avid gardeners. We are trying to teach our children about xeriscape. organic gardening, and raising herbs. A garden, teaching program combination would be of great value to our community!

The Botanical Center would be a great addition to our community for the learning opportunities that will be available and the enhanced park facilities.

Margo Shull - on March 16, 2008 The Botanical Center would be a wonderful addition to our beautiful greenway and parks systems,nature center and gardens in the Springfield area.

Delano Coble - on March 15, 2008 The botanical garden would be an asset to our area.

Patricia Coble - on March 15, 2008 The Botanical Center would be a great learning center for our children. We need this.

Lorri Winters - on March 12, 2008 The Botanical Center and surrounding park will be a great place for family friendly gatherings and education. Obviously this project is strongly supported by the residents of Greene and surrounding counties. Cathy C - on March 11, 2008 Our family loves this park and feel this Botanical Garden will be a great asset to our community!

sharon - on March 10, 2008 This will be a great addition to Springfield's park system. we have lost so much here in the ice storms we have had--we need this to give us a beautiful place to go to.

Melinda Adams - on March 09, 2008 This project is a great example of community synergy. It represents enthusiasm and participation from volunteer groups, the extension office, the general public, and the city/county Park Board. The setting for the facility is well-used and located at a Greenways trailhead. I expect area businesses and schools will align their brands and activities with the center, broadening the support/use base.

Beth G - on March 09, 2008 The botanical center will be a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages to share in the beauty of this earth. I am very excited to have a place my children can go and learn about there natural surroundings. This is a wonderful idea turned reality!

Judy Stainback - on March 08, 2008 I love the idea of having educational opportunities for all ages as well as beautiful gardens to enjoy. My children's favorite vacation included a trip to the Botanical Gardens in St. Louis years ago. We must preserve and promote our environment for future generations and teach them how before all the available space is taken up by subdivisions!

Sandy -on March 08, 2008 I think a botanical center would be a great addition to Springfield. It would benefit not only the City of Springfield, but also those of us who live in the area. Springfield attracts visitors from a very large area; I live about 100 miles away but visit the city frequently. I would be very interested in visiting the Botanical center and attending activities and classes there.

Bobbi Moseley - on March 08, 2008 I grew up in Milwaukee with botanical gardens there and it was always a great family outing. I would love my family experience that same feeling

Ed - on March 08, 2008 The construction of a botanical center in Springfield would be an incredible asset to the area. As a frequent visitor to Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park, I am eager to see its further progression to that of a full-fledged botanical center.

Tom Trtan -on March 08, 2008 I like the parks and this would be a real asset to the quality of life in this community.

Lorraine Smith - on March 08, 2008 I am really looking forward to having a Botanical Center here in Springfield. This is a great way to get individuals interested in protecting the world we live in and showing ways that a greener way of living is possible.

Shannon Woods - on March 08, 2008 I can't wait to see the new building. It will be a great addition for our city.

David Barton - on March 08, 2008 This is a project that has a lot of community support. Hundreds of volunteers plant and maintain the gardens already in this park. Citizens of the county passed a Parks sales tax by a 3 to 1 margin. Some of those monies are going toward this building. Volunteers are helping to raise the needed funds. And trained volunteers will make the gardens and this facility a great community asset.

Pauline Diemer - on March 08, 2008 I have visited botanical gardens in other cities and have found them to be wonderful places to view and learn about different plants and to enjoy beautiful landscaped gardens. I am so pleased that Springfield is planning such a educational feature for this area. I plan to take advantage of the finished facility by attending programs and exploring the gardens.

Carl E Adcock - on March 07, 2008 Close Park is highlight of the Springfield community. The park provides a great educational opportunity for both young and old. The Botanical Garden Center would be a great addition. I'm sure it would be used for greater learning opportunities as the existing gardens have been a showplace for Springfield.

Clara Rutherford - on March 07, 2008 Springfield needs the Botanical Center, as an educational resource and as a recreational resource. I always visit botanical gardens whenever I travel, and long for one here at home.

Melissa Deckard - on March 07, 2008 I would love to have a Botanical Center in Springfield! Actually I'm surprised we don't have one yet. I have seen Botanical gardens in Japan as well as other cities in the states and they are wonderful!! I truly hope this happens here.

Karen Wise - on March 07, 2008 I have been to botanical gardens in other places and can state it would be a wonderful addition to our beautiful Ozarks.

RickyJr - on March 07, 2008 This is something Springfield needs to create a beautiful city and help the citizens help the environment by educating us. This is going to attract millions around SW Missouri and others travelling through, even those going to Branson.

Debbie - on March 07, 2008 I have been to two larger cities that have had a botanical garden and in both places it is the one thing that I will not forget. They are so beautiful. I would be a frequent visitor. I hope this goes through.

Ruby Epps - on March 07, 2008 I am really looking forward to a Botanical Center in Springfield! I know it will be a great thing for all ages. Great work!

Carolyn - on March 06, 2008 I am so looking forward to a Botanical Garden in the Ozarks. It would be an amazing place to teach my (homeschooled) kids about nature and how to go "green". I am so interested in learning about solar energy, alternatives to pesticides, the best plants to grow in this area. It's great to search the internet, but to actually SEE it will be amazing!

Carolyn Gerdes - on March 06, 2008 A Botanical Center in Springfield will provide a place of learning, recreation, and enjoyment for people of all ages - there's nothing like it in southwest Missouri. It has the support of the people of Springfield and many hardworking people who belong to the organizations that are working to see the gardens and the building a reality.

Becky Osterhoudt - on March 06, 2008 WOW. I am so excited about a Botanical Garden in Springfield. It would be a great place to relax. Plus a great place for adults as well as children to learn about these plants. Don't forget about the children they could learn and appreciate something like this so incorporate classes for the little ones also!

Randy U - on March 05, 2008 I believe that the addition of the Botanical Center surrounded by the beauty of the park and gardens will make a great addition and example of what makes the Springfield community a great place to raise your family.

Kelley Morrison - on March 05, 2008 There is nothing quite like the tranquility of walking amongst beautiful flowers and foliage and enjoying the beautiful outdoors! When the beautiful scenery is located here in the Ozarks, well, that makes it even better! I truly believe this will be a great benefit to all citizens, old and young alike!

Annette Way - on March 05, 2008 WOW. I am so excited about a Botanical Garden in Springfield. It would be a great place to relax. Plus a great place for adults as well as children to learn about these plants. Don't forget about the children they could learn and appreciate something like this so incorporate classes for the little ones also!

Shelley Vaugine - on March 05, 2008 What a great asset to the community its just another way that Springfield is maturing and growing into a wonderful educational center. Springfield has an active gardening/aggi community and we will be adding a huge resource to an already impressive field. I am already thinking of curriculum mo ext master gardens and master naturalist can offer. Think of all the green projects we can do

Cathy Staats - on March 05, 2008 I am very much in favor of a beautiful botanical garden area in Springfield. This will attract many visitors to the area as well as be a huge recreational/educational blessing for all of us that make Springfield our home. Our family makes it a point to visit botanical gardens when we are traveling. There are many talented horticulturists here and with this project many more to come!

Rosemary Rubenstein - on March 05, 2008 I would support such a facility and believe this has been a long time coming to southwest Missouri. I enjoy gardening and would take advantage of the learning opportunities this facility would provide.

Mark Bernskoetter - on March 05, 2008 This would be a great addition to the gardening and educational communities in the greater Springfield area. The planning committee has been a good steward on this project, working and reworking the plans to make it a great value. It is time that Springfield has an opportunity to showcase its great horticulture experience and expertise and share it even more with the public.

Mark Cartledge - on March 05, 2008 This will be a wonderful asset for the community. This asset will provide many opportunities for populations and organizations to take part in educational, vocational and volunteer experiences.

Terry Hill - on March 05, 2008 I would love to have a facility like this available for my Grandkids. They enjoy gardening (ages 12 to 3 years) and ask me questions about plants that we don't have in our gardens. Having the ability to take them to a garden and attend seminars would be just perfect.

Robert Childress - on March 05, 2008 A botanical center in Southwest Missouri will be a great asset to the area. Presently there is no comparable center in this area. To have gardens and a training facility here will provide educational and aesthetic opportunities that currently do not exist. I enthusiastically support this project.

Nancy K. Reed - on March 05, 2008 A Botanical Garden in Springfield? How absolutely positive. I live 2.5 hrs east in the as yet still primitive part of the Ozarks, but Springfield is where we travel to doctors/shop and our school kids take trips to. This would be such an educational enlightenment for our area. I am looking forward to this.

Paula Vinson - on March 05, 2008 Sometimes I think the MU Extension and all of their great work, as well as the Master Gardener's are the best-kept secret in this area. I believe this new facility would bring a great resource and enjoyment to our community, and will help these programs become better known for the great work they do in our community. Thanks to everyone for your dedication in bringing this project to fruition.

Brenda Bell - on March 05, 2008 This would be a wonderful addition to the area. With the interest in horticulture far and wide, this will provide added value for the local population as well as for the tourist population that is attracted to this part of the state. The educational opportunities that will be part of this facility will be priceless. I strongly support this effort.

Just send an e-mail to David Burton, civic communication specialist, University of Missouri Extension, tel: (417) 862-9284.