In an ideal world, years from now, Kasey Maier, like thousands of other Louisvillians, will be able to walk close to the Waterfront and be transported to another place. A botanical garden unlike any other in the city, where palm trees and other exotic species will be seen. Where families go for walks, where live music can be enjoyed and everyone can experience a 23-acre oasis right on the doorstep of downtown.

Botanica is a non-profit in Louisville with the express aim of building a botanical garden close to downtown to be named Waterfront Botanical Gardens, something that Maier, Director of Program Development for Botanica is excited about.

â€œIt will be a huge educational venue and opportunity, especially because these gardens are going to be located downtown,â€ explains Maier. â€œI donâ€™t want to diminish the fantastic gardens we have here, like Yew Dell and Bernheim but this one will be close to downtown and walkable by tourists. It will be an economic development tool, and educational opportunity. All of the buildings will be LEED certified, so it will be an example of sustainability, and it will be a cultural center. Weâ€™ll have facilities to host the orchestra, and the ballet, and notable speakers. The gardens will have plants that are not available close to here, and that are not Kentucky native.â€

While plants are one thing, the location will also play host to walking paths, a visitorâ€™s center, a viewing platform that overlooks Beargrass Creek, playgrounds and countless of other features. But to do that, Maier knows Botanica needs to raise money through donation, something she is hoping will come in sizes large and small.

â€œLast year we hired architects and they developed a master plan for the gardens, and weâ€™re slowly moving into a capital campaign,â€ explains Maier. â€œThe project is estimated at $50 million, and we will bring the project in through three phases of around $15-20 million. Phase one we will be fundraising for the next two years, and once we get commitments of around $15 million then we can break ground.â€

â€œPeople see this as just a botanical gardens and yes it will be, but it will be so much more than that. It will be a place that people can go to be healthy. There will be two-miles of walking paths, and a heavy tree canopy. Itâ€™s a place for healthy, cultural experience, sustainability and so much more than a botanical garden highlighting plants and flowers.â€

And what of her favorite feature of the grand plan?

â€œI envision the visitor’s center with a lawn, and water filtration garden, and I can picture being there and hearing the orchestra or another band and, walking around while listening to the music,â€ imagines Maier. â€œYouâ€™ll go there for different reasons, and every time you go there youâ€™ll be experiencing something new.â€ VT

For more information visit www.waterfrontgardens.org.

In Memoriam

We are deeply saddened by the death of Board member and long time supporter of Botanica, Dot Wade. Dot has been working toward the development of a botanical garden for 30 years. When asked why she believed in this project, she said, â€œWe need places where children can learn about nature and interact with it. If we donâ€™t take care of our land, our plants, our air and water, our future will be grim.”