Franklin Park Conservatory is looking to the future, and a North Star (Master Plan) is guiding its way.
The botanical garden announced its 25-year plan, featuring 15+ capital projects that aim to transform visitor experience. It’s called the North Star Master Plan, and we’re shining a light on it.
New to the park
The Conservatory wants to centralize much of the gardens with these changes. | Rendering via Franklin Park Conservatory
New grand mallway gardens will be added as the updated entrance to the park, and they will be flanked by signature gardens on the North and South ends. The signature gardens are expected to be “naturalistic and whimsical.”
Since the current entrance will be moved, FPC plans to build a new visitor center with retail, dining, and event space. Officials are also considering adding an art gallery to the center.
To the east of the visitor center will be two new biomes — one the largest showcase of the Conservatory’s Chihuly collection and the other a year-round butterfly experience.
All of these changes call for a centralized, underground parking design. More details will be released about this in the future.
Updates to the park
The current Main Building will one day feature an education center and youth-friendly programming. | Rendering via Franklin Park Conservatory
The “first priority” of the project, per FPC, is the John F. Wolfe Palm House and Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse. The historical buildings will receive a full renovation to preserve them for future generations of green thumbs.
The park is also targeting its Main Building, which will be renovated into visitor and office spaces with a rooftop garden and art galleries. This will also become a secondary entrance for schools and events.
The Conservatory also has general renovation plans in the works, including expanding the Greenhouse Operations Complex as well as updates to existing biomes.