Madison’s beloved Olbrich Botanical Gardens welcomed almost 400,000 visitors last year. However, it was designed to handle less than half of that amount. This year, the Gardens with the partnership of Madison’s Parks Division embarked on a master planning process to ensure the future of the Gardens including expanding its physical space as well as services. To talk about this process, Douglas Haynes hosts a roundtable discussion with Hilary Gerstein, Eric Knepp, and Tanya Zastrow.

The Olbrich Botanical Gardens benefit humans and non-humans in the area alike through conservation projects, special events, and more. Zastrow talks about the rusty patch bumblebees, chipmunks, and Sherman the turkey who call the park home.

The Gardens are managed through a public-private partnership, between the Olbrich Botanical Society and the City of Madison Parks division. Knepp describes the history of the Gardens, from the construction of the Bolz Conservatory in 1991 to the 2009 expansion across Starkweather Creek. He says that people choose the garden for its beauty and tranquility, but also its affordability. Zastrow discusses the master planning process that will be the “roadmap for the future” as the Gardens nears its 75th year.

Gerstein describes the work of the Friends of Olbrich Park, who plan native plantings like a new bur oak and service berry tree to trash pick ups. The Friends group is trying to get information about the master plan into the hands of community members.

On May 20, a final framework of the new master plan will be presented to the public. You can learn more here.

Hilary Gerstein is Vice President of Friends of Olbrich Park.

Eric Knepp is the City of Madison Parks Superintendent. He has worked at the City of Madison since 2006.

Tanya Zastrow has worked as Executive Director of Olbrich Botanical Gardens since 2022.

Featured image of the Bolz Conservatory at the Olbrich Botanical Gardens via Wikimedia Commons.

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