Admission Fees Contemplated For Popular North Texas Park

By | Senior Investigative Producer Jack Douglas Jr. and CBS11 Reporter Joel Thomas |

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FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - CBS 11's I-Team has learned that one of the most popular destination spots in North Texas may in the future cost you money, after decades of operating for free to the public.

For 82 years, flower lovers from all over have strolled the lush grounds of Fort Worth's Botanic Garden without having to pay a penny for admission.

Its 110 acres offer something for everyone, including Kara Coonrod.

"Well, to be perfectly honest, I came out here to look for Pokemon," Coonrod said, adding, "It's wonderful being here …it's also nice that it's free."

But the I-Team has learned that may all change.

A consulting firm's study has found that the garden needs to be seeded with as much as $15 million – in addition to the city's annual operating budget of $4.4 million – to bloom into its greatest potential.

Garden Director Bob Byers said a financial overhaul of the park may include an admission fee of between $4 and $5 per adult.

The study, costing $97,000, was commissioned, and an admission fee may be implemented, "to see if we can work more efficiently for the citizens, and be financially sustainable going into the future," Byers said.

City Councilman Dennis Shingleton said he realizes it will be hard to convince people they need to pay for something they've gotten for free for all of these years.

"It's a tough sell…there's no doubt about it," Shingleton said, adding: "If it's 25 cents or $10, it's a fee and becomes a bit distasteful."

The City Council is expected to consider the plan next month. If approved, the Council will vote separately on whether to implement an admissions fee – a fee that Shingleton predicted wouldn't go into effect for more than a year.

Garden lover Rebecca Schillacie doesn't like the idea.

"No! No! I would be coming less often," Schillacie said.

"There's not many free things that you can do in this world," she added. "Coming out to nature I think should be free."

If you want to reach CBS11′s Senior Investigative Producer Jack Douglas Jr., you can email him at jdouglas@cbs.com.

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