Botanic Garden Invites Public Comment
FORT WORTH, Texas (Jan. 10, 2021) — The Fort Worth Botanic Garden | Botanical Research Institute of Texas , with Studio Outside , Bennett Partners , and DEI Consultants , will launch a robust, citywide public engagement process later this month to inform a long-term master plan for the Garden, with a particular focus on Fort Worth’s rich and growing diversity.
In addition to providing online comment capabilities through a website www.brit.org/masterplan , five community forums are planned as follows:
Jan. 26, 6:30 p.m. Rockwood Park Golf Course Clubhouse
Jan. 27, 6:30 p.m. at Como Community Center
Jan. 29, 10 a.m. at MLK, Jr., Community Center
Feb. 2, 6:30 p.m. at Chisholm Trail Community Center
Feb. 3, 6:30 p.m. at Heritage Church
Estrus Tucker, president and CEO of DEI Consultants, outlined goals for the 90-minute community forums. “Listening, building relationships and informing the master plan are the three major goals for soliciting this public feedback,” Tucker said. “We especially want to hear from new and diverse community voices while building relationships across the city with organizations and individuals.”
Forum agenda formats will consist of brief opening remarks with a welcome from City Council members, an overview of Fort Worth Botanic Garden | Botanical Research Institute of Texas, a summary of the master planning process, a brief statement about “why” these meetings are being held, and a series of interactive conversations, listening sessions, and engaging planning activities. With health and safety of all participants a top priority, CDC guidelines will be followed.
“We consider public feedback immensely important in the master planning process since the Garden is a local treasure belonging to all Fort Worth residents,“ said Bob Byers, FWBG|BRIT executive vice president and co-chair of the Master Planning Committee. “Creating a long-term, inspiring guest experience is at the heart of this process.”
The master planning committee led by former District 7 City Councilman Dennis Shingleton comprises members from throughout the community, representative of Fort Worth civil servants, local garden associations, Fort Worth ISD, FWBG|BRIT Board and staff, and other community advocates and developers.
About Fort Worth Botanic Garden | Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT®)
The Fort Worth Botanic Garden (FWBG) is the oldest public botanic garden in Texas with beautiful theme gardens, including the Fuller Garden, Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, and the Victor and Cleyone Tinsley Garden, which features plants native to north central Texas. The Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT®) is a nonprofit, international research, education and conservation organization that collects and safeguards plant specimens, studies and protects living plants, and teaches about the importance of conservation and biodiversity to the world. BRIT assumed nonprofit management of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden Oct. 1, 2020. The combined organization comprises 120 acres in Fort Worth’s Cultural District two miles west of downtown Fort Worth at 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76107.
Winter Hours: Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: $12 for adults, $10 for seniors 65+, $6 for children 6-15 and free for those under 5. Free admission with annual membership. Parking: Parking is free throughout the campus during regular business hours.
About Studio Outside
Studio Outside is a landscape architectural practice in Dallas, Texas, that thrives on the challenge of projects which demand a comprehensive intellectual, artistic and collaborative design process. Passionate about all facets of landscape architecture, the studio has completed projects of many types and locations around the world, ranging widely from high profile public spaces to high-end residential properties. The team’s passion for design drives them to pursue projects that require original thought and intense detailing, drawing upon years of experience with many cultures and a wide diversity of construction techniques. Studio Outside aspires to design places that demand a thoughtful and refined aesthetic while also incorporating sensitivity and intrigue for the human experience. For more information about the Studio Outside team, please visit: https://www.studiooutside.us/ .
About Bennett Partners
Bennett Partners is a Fort Worth-based architecture, interior design, and planning firm focused on creating well-designed, well-built spaces in the public and private sector. At the core of our practice is the idea of partnership. Partnership with our diverse and talented staff, our clients, and our community. We believe design can make a difference, and through our work we can inspire positive change. To learn more about the firm’s award-winning work, visit www.bennett.partners.
About DEI Consultants, LLC
DEI Consultants, LLC is a Fort Worth-based consulting firm specializing in advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion via creative engagement practices and processes that target transformative outcomes for corporations, non-profits, membership organizations and local governments. We utilize an equity lens supported by key questions to help decision makers be deliberately inclusive and focus on equity in both their process and outcomes. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are more than values to aspire to, they are strategies and practices that lead us into a future where neighbors from all walk of life explore, learn, support and enjoy together the natural environment. www.deiconsultants.com
