Friends of the Garden
The LEED-certified center will be situated at the top of a hill overlooking Lake Drummond. An expanse of lawn and native tree plantings will encompass the vista. This expanse of trees will become the focal point for visitors to the Botanical Center. As an arboretum, tree inventory, maintenance and care are intrinsic to the mission of the park and have been largely undertaken by volunteers led by Master Naturalists and others with the scientific knowledge to nurture the trees.
To contact the Friends of the Garden or to be added to our email list send an email to news@friendsofthegarden.org
Under Construction!!
Jodie Adams, Greene County Parks Director announced that "Guide by Cell" technology will be utilized at throughout the Park. This is an exciting technology and just what we need to assist communication with the public as they tour the Botanical Center and gardens in the future. This technology even allows messages about membership, donations made over the cell phone, etc. "Guide by Cell" is currently used by over 600 organizations including major art museums, gardens and exhibits such as the Smithsonian throughout the US, Canada and the UK. Read More about it here.....
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Items of Interest
Although Friends of the Garden was formally recognized in 2000, development of the gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Parks began in 1975 when the federal government signed over surplus property to Springfield for park development.
Growth of the gardens began in stages, beginning with the Gray-Campbell Farmstead, which brought historic buildings to the park. The Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Gardens were created in 1985. Purchase of Close Memorial Park in 2000 created the adjoining park and new opportunities for the gardens we celebrate today.
Friends of the Garden has a two-fold mission. First is to serve as a non-profit fund-raising foundation. Now that the Botanical Center is under construction, our priority is to expand and endow the gardens. The second is just as vital, to grow our membership and to provide a volunteer base to develop and maintain the gardens. Our mission is ongoing.
Growth of the gardens began in stages, beginning with the Gray-Campbell Farmstead, which brought historic buildings to the park. The Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Gardens were created in 1985. Purchase of Close Memorial Park in 2000 created the adjoining park and new opportunities for the gardens we celebrate today.
Friends of the Garden has a two-fold mission. First is to serve as a non-profit fund-raising foundation. Now that the Botanical Center is under construction, our priority is to expand and endow the gardens. The second is just as vital, to grow our membership and to provide a volunteer base to develop and maintain the gardens. Our mission is ongoing.
Tax deductible contributions for the Garden Growth and Maintenance Fund can be made payable to Friends of the Garden, Post Office Box 8566, Springfield, MO, 65801. Renewable FOG memberships start at $25. Benefits include the FOG newsletter, opportunities to purchase logo wear, free admission with a guest to the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Gardens for one year - with more to come. Join us, won't you?