FORT WORTH, Texas — The City Council approved a general admission fee for the Fort Worth Botanic Garden that will help fund needed improvements at the 85-year-old garden. However, the Council directed city staff to reassess the fee schedule and consider periods of free admission before it is implemented on July 19, 2019.
The City Council vote was 8-1, with District 4 Councilmember Cary Moon voting against. The fee schedule had earlier been approved by the Park & Recreation Advisory Board.
Review a list of frequently asked questions about the fees and how they will help fund garden upgrades.
A strategic plan completed in 2016 recommended a single point of entry for the garden, which would improve visitor services, orientation and information. The plan also called for replacing the current admission structure — which requires visitors to pay for some features but not others — with a single general admission fee.
Entrance fees will be $12 for adults, $6 for children 6-15 and $10 for senior citizens; children under 6 will be free. These admission fees will replace the fee currently being charged for the Japanese Garden and the Conservatory.
For supporters and frequent visitors, annual memberships ($50 for an individual, $80 for a couple, $100 for a family) will also be offered. These memberships provide reciprocal memberships to more than 200 gardens around the nation.
Similar admission fees at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge and major botanic gardens across the country have been shown to dramatically improve the physical spaces and the programs at these cultural assets.
The admission fee is intended to help defray more than $15 million in deferred maintenance at the garden and also position the city to work with fundraisers in the philanthropic community to improve programming and features at the garden. Officials expect the fee — along with the city’s current annual subsidy of more than $3 million, future bond programs and philanthropic support — to help ensure the garden’s financial sustainability into the future.
Access options
Numerous options will make the gardens accessible to all residents:
- Lone Star Card discounts (SNAP/WIC Card). Discounted annual family membership cost $30, or $2.50 per month. Includes reciprocal admission to other gardens. The Museums4All program allows family visits for $1 admission per adult member; children under 18 enter for free.
- MusePass. Free family passes available in Fort Worth Public Library branches, including the option to check them out electronically.
- Sponsored field trips. Sponsored third-grade field trips for FWISD schools. One free family pass would be included per student.
- Blue Star Program. Free admission to families of active military members Memorial Day through Labor Day.
- Community-based free family passes. Free family admission vouchers will be distributed to locations that specialize in meeting the needs of underserved populations.
View a video and learn more about ongoing efforts to improve the garden.
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