Ogden Botanical Gardens celebrates growth and community involvement at open house announcement

The Ogden City Council meeting held on March 18, 2025, featured a range of discussions focused on community engagement and local initiatives. The meeting began with a heartfelt acknowledgment from a representative of a community action agency, who expressed gratitude to the city council and Mayor Nadolski for their support over the past 60 years. The representative highlighted the agency's commitment to helping individuals and families, announcing an upcoming community open house scheduled for March 28, 2025, at the old Jefferson School, promising nostalgic treats like peanut butter bars.

Following this, Nate Stecker, the manager of the Ogden Botanical Gardens, presented an overview of the gardens' recent developments and community contributions. Stecker, who has been with the gardens for over four years, detailed the significant improvements made since his arrival, including the planting of over a million spring blooms and the introduction of educational programs. He reported that the gardens have seen a record number of volunteer hours, totaling over 5,300, which he equated to approximately $177,000 in community effort.

Stecker also discussed the Master Gardener program, a 15-week course offered in collaboration with Utah State University, which provides hands-on training and resources for local gardening enthusiasts. He encouraged community members to utilize the gardens as a resource for gardening advice, particularly during the weekly sessions held from May to September.

The meeting concluded with council members expressing their appreciation for the botanical gardens and the positive impact they have on the community, particularly as a popular location for events like prom photos. Overall, the discussions underscored the importance of community partnerships and the ongoing efforts to enhance local resources and support systems.