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Botanica's expansion plans, including the construction of what it predicts will be one of the top children's gardens in the country, could move a step closer this week if the city approves its proposed funding for the project.
The Wichita City Council on Tuesday will consider authorizing $1.56 million in capital improvement funds over the next two years for Botanica, the public gardens at 701 Amidon, just west of downtown Wichita.
As of last month, Botanica had raised $3.2 million in private donations for its Downing Children's Garden, exceeding requirements for matching funds from the city.
The council will consider authorizing $960,000 in 2010 and $600,000 in 2011 for the expansion project. The money will be used for water, sewer and road work, said Botanica's executive director, Marty Miller .
Botanica's partnership with the city is working well, Miller said.
"They're not totally supporting us. We're doing a lot on our own," he said. "We've met our goals and the city is following through with their partnership."
Luck and hard work helped Botanica raise money in the recession, Miller said. By August, it had managed to match a 2008 challenge donation of $1.5 million from Barry and Paula Downing.
Botanica expects to break ground on the children's garden in March and hopes to complete it by the following spring.
When finished, it will be "one of the premier children's gardens in the nation," Miller said.
It will include a plaza area featuring Kansas history; a small farm sponsored by Cargill Inc.; a wetlands area with tadpoles, a stream and a spring; an area for a tree house and a large tree with roots that visitors can walk under; a musical maze; an enchanted glen; "monster woods"; and other educational features.
"It's going to really be a place they're going to want to come back to. It's always going to be changing," Miller said.
Botanica has just started a Phase II effort to raise $1.2 million for an education center to support the children's garden.
Future expansion plans at Botanica include sister cities gardens and a conservatory.
