Botanical Center near completion for October opening

SGF is a very gardening enthused communities. The new botanical center is just about complete.

Prime parking at the Botanical Center is reserved for environmentally friendly vehicles.

The new $4.3-million Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center at Nathanael Greene Park is just about complete and will be ready for its week-long grand opening October 11-17. Taxpayers voted in 2006 on a 1/4-cent tax to provide $3-million for the project. The Center is a “green building” and was designed by H Design Group and constructed by R.E. Smith Construction Company of Joplin.

The building is tremendous to look at – it overlooks the 55-acre park below, adjoining Close Memorial Park and Nathanael Greene. There is a roof-top plaza above the 12,000 square foot building, which will hold exhibits, seminars and meeting rooms. Demonstrations which never had a home before, will soon be able to be held in SGF.

According to Ozarks Gardens, the botanical center will:

… provide classes, workshops, and demonstrations in identifying, growing, and caring for plants of all kinds. It includes botanical gardens that are essentially teaching gardens where people can see first-hand plants that grow well in their region, how to grow them, and how they can be used to beautify one’s own surroundings.

Aside from visiting and learning the Botanical Center, you can also join Friends of the Garden with a $25 tax-deductible donation. It gets you a season pass for two to the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, discounts on seminars and more.