Fort Worth Botanic Garden’s ‘Garden of Yes’ Family Space Set for November Opening
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November is the date set for the long-awaited Baker Martin Family Garden, a much-anticipated addition to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, a favorite destination in the city.
Construction is nearing completion of the two-acre garden within the larger garden, dedicated to families to explore nature. Children, especially, will be allowed green space to roam, play, and learn through hands-on activities. The exact date will be selected this fall, depending on construction completion.
“We are very excited, very, very excited about this project,” said Patrick Newman, president and CEO of both the Fort Worth Botanic Garden and the Botanic Research Institute of Texas, now one organization following the 2020 merger of the historic public garden and the research center.
VIP Opening
Newman announced the official opening during his annual report to the Fort Worth Garden Club, an organization that supports the botanic garden as its mission statement. The celebratory event is planned for two years after its November 2024 groundbreaking and will be a VIP opening to botanic garden members only, with a grand opening to be scheduled for the spring, timed to coincide with the peak blooms of the season.
A project long championed by the Fort Worth Garden Club, the family garden takes its name from Louella Baker Martin, a member of the club. Her lead gift boosted the $20 million campaign, leading the way in the botanic garden’s first major expansion in the garden’s 20‑year master plan. That plan, also part of the march toward this new garden, was officially approved by the Fort Worth City Council in February 2023, following a multi‑year process of public forums and committee reviews. Martin, along with Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, other dignitaries, and garden club members, attended the celebratory groundbreaking approximately 20 months later.
Garden of Yes
Newman has taken to calling the new space a “garden of yes,” where children are allowed to touch, climb, and splash. Guests will be allowed to play in green space and learn through hands-on understanding.
“If a kid chooses poorly, they may get their shoes wet, or they may create an emotional experience from which they will learn,” Newman said with a smile.
A celestial theme of sun, moon, and stars will set the tone for the garden, designed by Terra Design Studios. The Pennsylvania-based landscape architecture firm specializes in public gardens and child‑focused outdoor environments, seen in more than 25 spots across the U.S.
In addition to the outdoor space, the family garden will include educational classrooms, staff offices, reading nooks, a puppet gallery, and seven restrooms.
The Fort Worth Botanic Garden, the oldest major botanic garden in Texas, was established in 1934 when the city transformed the former Rock Springs Park into a public horticultural setting. It is located on 37.5 acres that Fort Worth purchased in1912 around natural springs long used by native Americans and early settlers. Renowned landscape architects Hare & Hare designed the grounds during the 1930s, creating features such as the iconic Rose Garden.
The family garden will sit between the existing Fuller Garden and the Japanese Garden, with its architectural touches from the famed architect Albert Komatsu. The new garden is replacing maintenance areas, now relocated to accommodate the garden project.
Next Project
Newman also announced the Fort Worth Botanic Garden’s next project will be a concert stage and amphitheater. With an audience capacity of 3,500, the new event space will be large enough to hold an orchestra and will retain the garden’s vista running north to south, he said.
The CEO took the role in May 2021, after serving as executive director of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin. The family garden and the event stage have been key priorities in leading the merged botanic garden and research institute.
“These are the two pieces I was fully committed to,” he told the garden club members. “Every day there’s progress going on out there.” Joining the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, qualifying for the family garden’s VIP opening, is available in person at the garden or by visiting FWBG.org/memberships/
