Timeline of Progress
Oh, How We’ve Grown!
April 2001
The Accidental Trespassing
Darla Zastrow met Robert W. Monk III and the concept was born
July 2003
It’s Official!
First board established, Wayne Guerinck, Board President and incorporated as Robert W. Monk Gardens, Inc. Click here to see the original Articles of Incorporation.
December 2004
Mr. Monk Donates Land
Obtain 501(C)(3) status and 19 acres donated by Robert W. Monk III
April 2005
First Master Plan Developed
First Master Plan developed with community input. Read the Master Plan Mr. Monk helped to create in 2005.
First Public Event!
Held the first public event, a Bulb Sale!
September 2006
Our First Structure
Gazebo completed!
October 2007
August 2012
Look! Up There!
Treehouse completed
July 2013
Initial Plans Are Happening
Memory Circle and Wildflower Woods completed
November 2014
New Name, Same Great Place
Changed name to Monk Botanical Gardens
April 2016
Initial Plans Complete!
Meditation Garden and Phase I both completed
October 2017
Darcie Joins & A Whole Lot More
Kitchen Potager and Garden and Event Lawn completed, hired first full-time staff member, Darcie Howard, Executive Director, and purchased 6.5 acres through the generosity of longtime member Ruth Schuette, acquiring Mr. Monk’s homestead in the NE corner
February 2018
It’s Time To Educate!
Hired First Education Staff, Elise Schuler and purchased 2 acres thanks to the commitment of Gardens supporter Ruth Schuette
July 2019
Second Master Plan Developed
Completed renovating Mr. Monk’s home to be used for long term rentals and storage, and our Second Master plan is developed
February 2020
First Horticulture Staff
Hired our first Horticulture Staff, Marissa Ashbeck
September 2021
Another Garden & A First-Of-Its-Kind New School!
Shade & Hosta Garden Completed and the Sprouts Nature Preschool Established
March 2023
Our 20th Year Is A Big Year!
Sara’s Storybook Garden, Ginseng Garden, Sprouts Preschool Expansion, English Garden, Main entrance moved to 4th ave, parking lot with a gatehouse, pond restoration, security system, and new fencing around the 30 acres are all completed!
