Good things sprouting from admission fee at Rotary Gardens
Podcast Episode
An entrance fee at Janesville's Rotary Gardens is raising money for the attraction. The fee has so far raised nearly 70 percent of what was budgeted for this year. Kyle Geissler reports. You can read more in Sunday's Janesville Gazette.
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A sign on near a service entrance on the northeast side of Rotary Gardens directs visitors to the Parker Education Center entrance.
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A metal fence surrounds Rotary Gardens since the attraction began charging admission.
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Workers enter Rotary Gardens through a service gate.
GARDENS ADMISSION
Here’s the number of people who have paid to be admitted to Rotary Gardens since the gardens started charging admission April 15:
April: 290 (April 15-30).
May: 3,985 (includes 1,255 prom goers, who paid $2 each to have their pictures taken).
June: 3,300
July: 3,436
August: 3,263
JANESVILLE — Charging admission at Rotary Gardens so far has raised nearly 70 percent of the $75,000 expected for the year.
The gardens for the first time began charging admission April 15. Through Aug. 31, the admission fee raised $51,561, said David Jennings, executive director.
“Right now, there is no deficit, and we’re on track with the budget,” Jennings said. “We’re pleasantly surprised with the numbers,’’ he said.
And, the season isn’t over.
“September and October could be pretty good months,’’ he said.
The 2009 budget for Rotary Gardens totals $766,586. The remainder of the revenue comes from contributions from supporters, foundations and grants, events such as the dinner dance and holiday light show plus facility rental for weddings and business meetings.
The gardens does not get any city, state or federal funding.
Jennings said he believes the fee has not hurt the number of visitors to the gardens, although there are no solid numbers from prior years for comparison. Previously, annual attendance estimates were made based on the number of tours, event participation, periodic headcounts and the visitor log, he said.
“More people—local and from out-of-town—tell me it’s very worthwhile when they see what the gardens look like,’’ Jennings said.
The gardens’ board and staff are confident that charging the fee is the right thing to do, he said.
“To keep this garden going at this level, we need to look at other income sources and admission. There are a lot of other gardens around the country charging admissions, and we thought that might help boost our Friends’ membership, and we’ve seen that happen,’’ Jennings said.
People who join Friends of Rotary Gardens get free admission and other discounts.
Friends has 697 members at six membership levels from individual, which costs $35 to $49 a year, all the way to family benefactor plus guests, which carries a price tag of $2,500 or more, according to a Friends brochure.
Friends of Rotary Gardens revenue in 2009 is up 23 percent, Jennings said.
“The value is there in free admission plus the discounts in the gift shop and at the plant sales,’’ Jennings said.
Admission fees—$5 for adults, $3 for kids 6 to 12 and $15 for a family—won’t be raised for 2010.
“We’ve got one year under our belt. People are becoming accustomed to it, and with the economy the way it is, it wouldn’t be a smart thing to do. I think it’s a fair price for such a beautiful garden,’’ Jennings said.
Rose Miller, Janesville, agreed. She and her husband, Urban, are Friends members and garden volunteers.
“We believe in this project. It is a wonderful addition to the city and we need to carry on Dr. (Bob) Yahr’s dream,” Rose said. “It’s really a gift to the community.’’
Sep 16, 2009 at 2:40 p.m.
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where have you been you havent posted since MAY.
Sep 15, 2009 at 1:54 p.m.
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I used to go to Rotary Gardens all the time when I was growing up. I loved it there. It was a cool place to go to escape everything else and just relax.
I understand that they were dealing with vandals a lot, and it was costing them a ton of money. I understand that they needed to get the money back somehow. This was not the right decision in my opinion, though.
I'm expected to pay $5 to get in there? It's not -that- amazing. I would definitely pay $1 to go in, sure, no problem. $5 though? Get out of here. The season pass is even more ridiculous... $35 for a season pass? This isn't some amusement park. I would pay $20 for a season pass, probably. $35 is way too much for a season pass to see a garden, though. The prices for different passes are horrendous, too! I went down there a few weeks ago and got their pamphlet. I should have kept it so I could show all of you what the actual different options are, and the prices of those options. I threw it out, though. The prices were absolutely outrageous. I couldn't believe it.
Just so I can get this out there, I've stopped going to bars and I don't eat fast food except for the very rare (probably once a month) occasion. I do this because I need to make my car payments and rent.
I can't see justifying paying what Rotary Gardens wants me to pay to get into that place. Special times of the year, sure. But not under normal conditions. I probably won't ever go there again, except -maybe- on free days. Then again, I bet they're going to be much busier than normal on a free day, which almost destroys the experience if it's too busy anyways.
Sep 14, 2009 at 4:09 p.m.
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westorbust- it ISNT always the same. it changes through the seasons. I think kids like flowers and you should take them when their "isnt any thing to do" I have seen kids go by my garden like they have never seen one before and are impressed. You may be surprized if you just take them!!
Sep 14, 2009 at 4 p.m.
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I understand the admission fee, but I have never seen anything at the gardens that's worth the single $5 fee, or for me, the $15 family fee. Some of it is interesting, however the trash and scum floating in the pond kind of defeats the purpose, not to mention the fact that if you've seen it once, why go again? Yes, I understand there are free days, but like I said, once you've seen it, then what?
I understand that hard work that goes into the gardens, but it seems to cater to a relatively small interest group of gardeners and those that fascinated with flowers.
Frankly, I find a natural prairie filled with wild flowers, native plants and wildlife vastly more interesting that man made flower beds.
The Xmas and Halloween events are interesting, but beyond that I don't get it.
It's great they are relatively self sustaining, so somebody is going.
Personally, with a town such as Janesville that has little or nothing to offer kids to do in the summer I would suggest a skate park/dirt jump park, like almost every other surrounding community has. And people wonder why the kids around here spend all their time drinking and smoking.
Sep 14, 2009 at 2:45 p.m.
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Yes I See the people w/o money smoking up a storm STILL at $6 a pack and in bars spending their rent and car payments. I understand some dont have money and are jobless but they WONT give up their addictions for NOTHING.
ALSO remember there are FREE days just look at the janesville calendar http://www.janesvillecvb.com/calendar.as...
click under event to get the monthly calendar.
Sep 14, 2009 at 2:37 p.m.
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Hannah it isn't about getting just anything for free. You are under the impression that everyone has money. It isn't about abusing the system either it is about enjoying something beautiful and not everyone has money anymore with the way the economy is
Sep 14, 2009 at 2:01 p.m.
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SOME of the people complaining it isnt free any more are also probably some of the ones that want everything else in life for free as well and abusing systems to get the free stuff.
And yes gardens are expensive to keep and maintain even with all the free labor hours from the gardeners.
Sep 14, 2009 at 1:59 p.m.
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I second that - agree with beeferer and mickie.
Sep 14, 2009 at 1:24 p.m.
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I can't even begin to imagine how much it costs to keep Rotary Gardens going. Every year I could spend hundreds of dollars adding to my flower gardens and it's just a very small area. Gardening can be an expensive hobby. Rotary Gardens is worth the price.
Very, very nice post Beeferer and I agree Mickie
Sep 14, 2009 at 1:20 p.m.
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eat less anyway or romman noodles;)
Sep 14, 2009 at 12:57 p.m.
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mickie....You got that right !!! My family won't eat this week after buying flowers/plants yesterday !!! Just kidding !! Gardeners that REALLY want plants/flowers NEED to go to this sale !!!! Nice size and great prices !
Sep 14, 2009 at 12:02 p.m.
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People can afford anything they really want to.
Sep 14, 2009 at 11:36 a.m.
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marie26
Sep 14, 2009 at 7:25 a.m.
Suggest removal It is amazing to me how some people believe that everything can remain how it once was. Charging $5.00 per adult is less than most people spend on an extra value meal at McDonalds, and I really don't think that all of the people complaining about this have given up McDonalds. Rotary Gardens is a beautiful part of our community. Kudos to Rotary for being proactive enough to charge a minimal admittance fee in order to maintain the grounds and provide a beautiful place for us to enjoy for years to come!
Well said!!!!! maybe they can trade less than a pack of smokes for a tour!!!
I wonder how many "less fortunate" would ever visit in the first place? If you look at their own yards I dont think theyre really interested in gardens. AGAIN NOT All but some.
Sep 14, 2009 at 11:33 a.m.
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digital- they can go on FREE days if you read the article. Once this year it was free for a few days in a row.
I still see no problem with this . If you ever go to travel there are fees to get into MANY places like gardens, parks etc. You will just have to get used to it.
Sep 14, 2009 at 10:51 a.m.
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They were maintaining it just fine before charging a fee. I think the fee has more to do with the loss that happened due to the vandalism. They should lower it though, to lets say $3.00 a piece. That would be more affordable for families of 4, 5 or more. It is beautiful and needs to be kept that way. But in our economy and especially in Janesville, I think they are charging too much.
Sep 14, 2009 at 8:19 a.m.
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The gardens have been a source of euphoria for myself and my family since it first opened. I love going through in the springtime when plants are coming out of dormancy. Look at the leaves at the tops of the plants and then towards the bottoms where there are only buds- you can get a look at different stages of development on each individual plant. The rose garden was always a favorite for myself and my daughter. When she was a toddler, I lifted her to each bloom of the different varieties of the roses for her to smell. The surprised look in her eyes will always be a priceless memory. Watching the fish under the bridge brings back memories of my boys hauling in their little trophies. They might as well have been reeling in sailfish off the Florida coast. And every year this miracle of rebirth repeats itself and gives us the opportunity to relive an adventure that others can only imagine. The Rotary Gardens, to me, is by far the very best part about this city. Take a tour and leave your bitterness outside. I have made the donation, walked through, and added gratuity on my way out. It's a no-brainer. Anyone who complains about the pittance of a fee for a visit to Eden has some serious issues.
Sep 14, 2009 at 7:25 a.m.
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It is amazing to me how some people believe that everything can remain how it once was. Charging $5.00 per adult is less than most people spend on an extra value meal at McDonalds, and I really don't think that all of the people complaining about this have given up McDonalds. Rotary Gardens is a beautiful part of our community. Kudos to Rotary for being proactive enough to charge a minimal admittance fee in order to maintain the grounds and provide a beautiful place for us to enjoy for years to come!
Sep 14, 2009 at 12:21 a.m.
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i'm sure glad my daughter and i took a tour through on our own last fall, we don't get that opportunity very often because of my illness, they are beautiful, it's a shame i have to tell her we can't go again because i can't afford it on my disability income, it was special
Sep 13, 2009 at 11:37 p.m.
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The city gives you land. You expand beyond your means and then turn your nose up at the least fortunate people of the city. The gardens have become an elitist organization. Oh lets not forget what all those fertilizers have done to the pond/beach. I did appreciate the gardens until they went and charged outrageous rates.
Sep 13, 2009 at 10:12 p.m.
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Went to the plant sale today... Plants are priced $3.00-$9.00.Very nice !!!!
Sep 13, 2009 at 10:08 p.m.
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We used to stop by for a quick walk through now and then, but it doesn't seem worth it now if you only have a few minutes. If we had a few hours, it would be worth it, but finding that kind of time is hard. We would always throw a few bucks in the donation buckets, but not $10-$15! Although, over the season it probably would have added up to that much. I am glad if it is working for them though.
Sep 13, 2009 at 7:25 p.m.
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It can on the free days, 1st Wednesday of each month.
Sep 13, 2009 at 6:03 p.m.
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sad that this beautiful place can't be enjoyed by the folks who are strapped for cash.
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