Our Partners – Mead Botanical Garden

To create an outstanding botanical garden, the 21st Century style business plan requires a dynamic network of partners coalesced around the not-for-profit organization called Mead Botanical Garden, Inc. Hundreds of volunteers have come together to restore Mead Botanical Garden and the result has been incredibly rewarding! Listed below, in no particular order are the partners representing various constituencies and expertise.

In 2003, MBG Inc. (then called Friends of Mead Garden) developed a strategic plan that led to the City contracting for a master plan for Mead Garden. In the years since, the City has continued to partner with MBG Inc. to revitalize and maintain the Garden as a place for people with a variety of interests and backgrounds to enjoy. The City began by funding a necessary and on-going spraying program for control of invasive vines. Plant collections nearly lost to invasive vines have been saved through this program and regular tending by loving hands of dedicated volunteers.

What was once a City maintenance building was repurposed by MBG Inc. as the Discovery Barn and Learning Center. It now serves as home base for the Mead Young Naturalist Summer Camp program and other educational endeavors by MBG Inc.

In fiscal years 2011 and 2012 the City made another substantial commitment to the on-going operations and improvement of the garden, approving $200,000 for operating and capital funding in support of this 47-acre urban oasis.

From the beginning of this project to restore the garden, members of the Winter Park Garden Club generously gave time and leadership: beginning the conversations in 2003, restoring the butterfly garden and starting a new one south of their building, hosting meetings and continuing their dynamic education programs. This is a strong and growing partnership to fulfill our common goals of education and appreciation of nature.