Arboretum reports record attendance and revenue; councilors press for cost accountability on Longhouse operations

Jeremy Myers, assistant parks and recreation director, and Drew Rivera, manager of the Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, presented the facility’s 2024 annual report and outlined operations, revenue and volunteer activity.

Staff said the facility recorded roughly 88,000 visitors in 2024 (about 518 per day based on days open), with substantial growth in event attendance and rentals. The presentation credited the new Longhouse operations and expanded programming for increases in rentals (rental revenue rose from roughly $7,250 two years ago to about $169,000 in the reported year), membership revenue (from about $18,000 to $78,000) and retail and cafe sales (gift shop sales grew from about $37,000 to $102,000; cafe sales rose from about $66,000 to $104,000). Staff said volunteers contributed roughly 26,500 hours in the year and that 22 volunteers have given more than 2,000 cumulative hours each.

Why it matters: The Arboretum is a major public amenity with growing event demand and changing operating needs. The Longhouse, added in recent years, has increased rental revenue and attendance but also created new ongoing operating responsibilities for the city.

Councilors pressed staff on operational costs and the cafe contract. One councilor asked about the facility’s cost‑recovery and profit/loss numbers; staff said the Arboretum’s cost‑recovery rate improved from 31% in 2023 to about 39% in 2024 (the city’s policy target range for the Arboretum is 26%–50%). Council members cited a line item they read as a $2.3 million operating loss in a consolidated budget view and asked for clarification. Staff said total operating costs (including salaries, benefits, part‑time staff and other operating expenses) were about $1.3 million at the end of 2024 and noted that the contract to operate the cafe and catering is an annual contract of $219,000.

Several councilors expressed concern about the Longhouse’s capital cost and ongoing operating footprint. One councilor characterized the Longhouse as a major capital investment (noting the city paid $12 million of an approximately $23 million building cost in prior discussions) and warned against over‑commercializing the arboretum to chase revenue. Council members asked for more detailed profit‑and‑loss breakdowns by revenue stream (cafe, gift shop, rentals) and asked staff to return with a line‑by‑line P&L and subcontractor performance details in advance of an October contractual renewal window for the cafe operator.

Staff also provided program and operations updates: the facility ran educational programming, field trips (about 3,000 participants), community events (Kite Fest, Moon and Lantern Festival, a record single‑day admission of about 4,000 on Mother’s Day) and conservation activities (goat contracting for invasive species removal, prairie burns with the fire department). Staff said a greenhouse procurement was being rebid in phases (manufacturing/installation and separate site‑prep contracts) after initial bids exceeded estimates. Staff said the facility will pursue an accreditation target (Level 2 arboretum certification) in 2025 and continue accessibility and inclusion efforts, including a committee working on a “Nature Walk for All” ethos and language/QR code tools to support multilingual visitors.

Ending: Council members thanked staff and requested a more detailed financial breakdown of Longhouse operations, the cafe contract and staffing costs for follow‑up conversations about the contract renewal and long‑term operating strategy.