Expansion of Montgomery Botanical Gardens to feature historic fountain

The Montgomery Botanical Gardens at Oak Park is growing by 2 acres, and garden officials have big plans for the area.

The new strip of land will become home to a historic Montgomery fountain that once sat in front of a Montgomery building that was being renovated. The city saved the fountain and gifted it to the garden.

A Japanese maple garden is also planned for the space, said Cathy Maddox, the Montgomery Botanical Gardens Board of Directors president. A donor has promised to provide the Japanese maples needed for the project.

Officials also will install a pedestrian entrance to the garden.

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The first step to developing the new land will be to conduct a civil survey.

“We have lots of ideas,” Maddox said.

The current grounds total 7.5 acres, which are leased from the city for $100 a year. Five of those acres are developed. Maddox said the lease payment will remain the same with the additional two acres.

The garden is a nonprofit that depends solely on donations, volunteers and grants. It opened in 2017.

“But the main message is, we’re here to stay,” Maddox said. “We need support, financial support. We need members. We need volunteers. We have a really strong volunteer program, but we always need more.”

Alex Gladden is the Montgomery Advertiser’s public safety reporter. She can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @gladlyalex.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Expansion at Montgomery Botanical Gardens to feature historic fountain