In a significant move for green spaces in Fort Worth, the North Texas Community Foundation has shelled out a lofty $500,000 from the estate of Beverly Hudgins Ray Parkhurst, with eyes set on the Baker Martin Family Garden, a centerpiece of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden’s grand design.
The City of Fort Worth reports that this initiative is geared towards crafting a two-acre hotspot for families and tykes, replete with hands-on play structures, nature-centered education, and up-close engagements with the environment.
It’s a considerable step towards fortifying connections between the community’s youth and nature’s untapped treasures.
Although dirt has been turned since last year, and construction on Baker Martin’s wonderland is in full flow, the project’s unraveling will span until 2026.
This runway looks set to cater to meticulous landscaping and educational program integration that mirrors the Garden’s central mandate.
“We are grateful for the significant gift from Beverly’s estate,” Patrick Newman, president and CEO of Fort Worth Botanic Garden, said to the City of Fort Worth. “Her support brings us closer to realizing our vision, creating a space that not only nurtures beauty and tranquility, but fosters connections with nature for generations to come.”
Honoring its benefactor’s passion for greenery and the outdoors, this grant is positioned to play a critical role in animating the master plan for the Botanic Garden. It turns the page on stale, conventional botanical experiences, where touching is off the cards, and instead invites a curious, tactile approach inside a “garden of yes.” This garden philosophy nudges visitors towards exploration and interaction rather than passive observation, fostering an environment where learning comes with doing.
