Residents seek to form 'Friends of Botanical Gardens' group; commissioners offer staff follow-up

Ashley Stanley told commissioners she is starting a Friends of the Botanical Gardens group to improve trails, remove invasive plants and increase accessibility at the site. Commissioners reviewed the city's Friends-of-Parks application process and said a form exists on the city website; they also noted the staff contact listed on the page (Shauna) has moved roles and the online guidance may need updating. Commissioners asked staff to follow up with the appropriate city contacts—Cathy and Buck were mentioned as possible staff liaisons—and to return with clarified steps for forming and approving a friends group. Commission members offered practical advice: the city requires volunteers to sign releases for work parties; the parks department can supply gloves, tools and promotional help; and a Facebook or private-group page can be used for volunteer coordination, but public communications must follow city guidelines. Commissioners invited Stanley to return next month with a follow-up and said they would help streamline the application route on the city website.