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New Leaf Society funds phase‑2 Arboretum master plan; council told no public funds requested
Summary
New Leaf Society will reimburse $28,000 for a phase‑2 master plan for Burlington’s 17‑acre arboretum; the plan outlines five improvement areas including new gardens, shade, play upgrades and a wetland boardwalk. Staff said construction will proceed only after private fundraising or grants.
Katie Snyder, director of the New Leaf Society and chairperson of the Arboretum Advisory Board, told the council the New Leaf board and the Arboretum Advisory Board have reviewed and approved a phase‑2 master plan for the city’s Arboretum and that New Leaf will reimburse the full $28,000 cost of the plan. “We are not asking for public funds,” Snyder said, adding the nonprofit will continue to lead fundraising and pursue grants before any construction begins.
Landscape architect Matt Roberts, who led the design work, walked council through five areas across the Arboretum’s roughly 17 acres. Roberts said planned features include expanded perennial and woody‑ornamental collections, an enlarged playground with new climbing features and shade covers, a large pergola gateway into the great lawn, a wetland boardwalk to let visitors experience the wetland area, and delineated off‑street parking using cobbles to prevent informal parking on turf.
Roberts also described smaller, site‑specific elements: a potter house (tool/storage space with a roof garden), themed bench swings (oak, magnolia, dogwood), night‑lighting improvements near the gazebo and entrance, new rose‑garden plantings and steps, and plantings designed to reduce routine maintenance burdens on staff.
Jason Barnhill, the city horticulturist, and other staff participated in the planning process, Roberts said, and staff reviewed utilities, ADA access and maintenance implications to ensure feasibility. Snyder said the group solicited community input via a spring survey with almost 300 responses and two public events in September and November; the top public priorities reported were new gardens, shade and seating, longer walkways and improved play options for older children.
The presentation concluded with Snyder’s request that council accept the plan as the Arboretum’s 10‑year blueprint; she said the board plans to review progress in five years. No funding request for the general fund was included in the presentation; Snyder repeated that no construction will occur until private funding or grants are secured.
The council offered brief praise and asked about next steps for fundraising and implementation; staff attendance at future project‑level agenda items was suggested. The Arboretum Advisory Board and the New Leaf Society have recommended the plan for council consideration.
