SPRINGFIELD, MO — Due to upcoming staffing changes within nonprofit Parks partner Friends of the Garden, two popular events are canceled this summer at Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park. 

The June 8 Butterfly Festival and the August 15 Garden Gala have been canceled for 2024. These programs are anticipated to return in 2025.

Additional FOG programs and services are also affected at Springfield Botanical Gardens, including:

  • The FOG Annual meeting is postponed to a later date. 
  • The bi-weekly FOG newsletter is temporarily on hold.
  • The tribute brick and bench program at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park is temporarily on hold.

FOG has committed to continue other events and day-to-day operations uninterrupted, including:

  • FOG-funded gardens, tools and supplies.
  • FOG Sponsorship and Membership management.
  • The May 9 Garden Day event and Caterpillar Café dedication.
  • The Roston Native Butterfly House will open for the season as planned May 10, and will operate normal hours throughout the season.
  • Monarch Tagging will take place this fall as usual.
  • Gardens Aglow will take place this fall/winter as usual.

All other events and programs at Springfield Botanical Gardens are directly managed by Springfield-Greene County Park Board staff or partners, and will continue as planned, including:

  • Operation of Springfield Botanical Gardens and the Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, including volunteer management and garden maintenance. 
  • Educational programs, Garden Story Time and workshops for all ages.
  • Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden operation, opening for the season April 1.
  • Gray/Campbell Farmstead activities.
  • The April 6 Cherry Blossom Kite and Piñata Festival.
  • The April 27 Master Gardeners Plant Sale.
  • The May Gigs in the Garden concert series.
  • The July 10 Teddy Bear Picnic.
  • The September Japanese Fall Festival.

“With the exception of the Butterfly Festival and Garden Gala cancellations, most parks visitors and volunteers won’t notice any changes at Springfield Botanical Gardens,” said Miles Park, Assistant Director of Parks. “FOG is essential to planning, fundraising and volunteer support at the park, and we thank FOG staff and volunteers for their ongoing partnership with Parks. Meanwhile, the park remains open, the gardens are in bloom and the season is shaping up to be beautiful.” 

For information on Friends of the Garden, call 417-874-2952 or visit FriendoftheGarden.org. For details on Parks events and programs, call the Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center at 417-891-1515 or visit ParkBoard.org/Botanical.

For media inquiries, contact Jenny Fillmer Edwards, Public Information Administrator for the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, at 417-224-5510. 

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