HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-21-09 Grant for Potawatomi Conservatories Announced
Office of the Mayor
NEWS RELEASE
Monday, December 21, 2009
4pm
Contact:
Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications & Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564
Martha Lewis, Botanical Society of South Bend, 574-234-7632
Grant for Potawatomi Conservatories Announced
South Bend, IN
: Mayor Steve Luecke joined with Martha Lewis, President of the Botanical
Society of South Bend to announce that The Botanical Society has been awarded a grant for
$60,000 for important upgrades for the Conservatories. The award comes from the Florence V.
Carroll Charitable Trust, the Stanley A. and Flora P. Clark Memorial Trust Foundation, the John,
Anna and Martha Jane Fields Trust Foundation, and the Muessel-Ellison Memorial Trust
Foundation.
Ms. Lewis reported that, “the grant will allow us to upgrade the electric in the Muessel-
Ellison Conservatory and the meeting room in the Ella Morris Conservatory. The quote for all
the electric work needed in the 3 conservatories is $226K. This grant will allow us to get a good
start on needed repairs and we are especially pleased because the grant covers the cost in the two
areas that are most used for the special events and weddings.”
“This is another great step and another great partnership,” said Mayor Luecke. “We are
very appreciative of the effort and the commitment that the Botanical Society of South Bend and
the Historic Preservation Commission have made to help ensure that these great facilities can
remain open and to provide even more opportunities for community involvement and
participation.” “In spite of the economic woes that are facing cities and towns across the
country, our community has built partnerships to ensure that these programs and services can
continue. This grant will allow us to continue the upgrades that are necessary for the
sustainability of these historic structures. I am very grateful to the Botanical Society of South
Bend for stepping up and assuming responsibility for the operations and maintenance of the
facilities this year, and more importantly, for developing a sustainability plan that addresses
immediate needs as well as long-term operations.”
-more-
Page 2.
Mayor Luecke continued, “the unique combination of the Morris and Muessel-Ellison
Conservatories, along with Potawatomi Zoo and Potawatomi Park plays an important role in
positioning South Bend as a regional destination and a city that provides top-notch quality of life
opportunities. We are optimistic, that these new programs will generate even more interest and,
more importantly, new revenues that will help keep these great programs alive now and for
future generations.”
Lewis also reported on the great accomplishments of the past year at the conservatories
and greenhouses. “We made it through another year and it would not have been possible without
the support of the Parks Board and staff. It would not have been possible without the support of
our Mayor and our council members, especially Dr. Varner, Ann Puzzello, and Tom LaFountain.
It would not have been possible without all the volunteers that water, clean, weed, greet visitors
and dress up like Freaky Flowers and Elves.” This year 1,760 volunteer hours, which the
Independent Sector Research values at an estimated $20.25/hr. were provided by volunteers who
dedicated their time, talents and energy to make a difference equivalent to $35,640. The
volunteers came from all walks of life. The Boy Scouts, Adams High School’s IB Green, retired
postal workers, teachers, gardeners, nurses, senior citizens, PhD’s, housewives, accountants, and
residents at the Homeless Center. “On behalf of the Botanical Society, we thank you!”
2009 Accomplishments
This was a year for firsts
?
Hired a facility manager (coming from Fernwood)
?
Held our first Halloween event - Freaky Flower Friday
?
Held our first “Santa at the Conservatories”
?
We’re on Face Book with almost 500 friends
This was also a year for partnerships
?
The ND heat project is producing and soon heat will be vented into the facility.
?
In January we will start a series of lecture/classes with teachers from St. Joe County
Parks.
?
A local tour company has added the Conservatories as one of their tour stops.
?
We are also a stop in the passport series for college students.
?
We connected with the City to design, supply, and plant flora in the filter bed at Leeper
Park.
?
We supported the West Side Farm Market as an outlet for the Community Garden
produce. In return heirloom tomatoes grown were sold as a fundraiser for the
Conservatories.
?
The IB Green students from Adams High have developed a year plan to help bring the
Conservatories to a level of self sufficiency. They wrote a proposal for a grant to help
with new safety doors and plant labeling.
?
Working with architect Kathryn Schuth, from James Childs, on the master plan.
###