masterplan - Bok Tower Gardens

Our Mission
Th e mission of Bok Tower Gardens
is to share Edward Bok’s gift of a
beautiful and serene garden with
music, architecture and nature, so
that all who visit will be inspired
by his vision: “Make you the world
a bit better or more beautiful
because you have lived in it.”
Our Vision
Th e vision of Bok Tower Gardens
is to off er visitors a unique
experience in a world-class garden
where one can fi nd beauty, peace
and inspiration.
Gardens are dynamic and ever-changing. In the short
term, the seasons with their cyclic nature are predictable
and carry a certain reoccurring expectation; the camellia
bloom peaks and fades to return again each year. But in
the long term, change is linear; trees grow ever bigger
casting more shade, shrubs get overgrown and decline.
Th is change can be subtle and hard to predict as the
garden evolves over time. A garden needs replanting and
rethinking as it evolves. For a public garden long term
change not only occurs in the landscape, but also in the programming and how visitors interact and
interpret the garden.
Every so often it is important in a public garden such as ours to step back and circle around to review
where we started, evaluate where we are now and decide where we want to go. In this way the garden
is kept fresh and relevant.
Besides the physical nature of a garden, it is important to fi nancially sustain a garden’s operation.
We therefore undertook a master planning process in the spring of 2011 to address how best we can
move forward to maintain a vibrant garden while ensuring long-term fi nancial sustainability.
Th e 2011 Master Plan is an outgrowth of the Long Range Fundamental Plan adopted by the Bok
Tower Gardens board of directors in the fall of 2010. Th is plan is the physical representation of
the vision we have for the Gardens over the next 20 to 25 years. Th e plan addresses issues of visitor
accessibility, circulation, interpretation and wayfi nding. Th e plan also outlines ideas for increasing
attendance by broadening our visitor base, revitalizing core areas of the historic garden and the
Tower, and positioning Bok Tower Gardens as a world-class garden. Th e ultimate goal of this plan is
to maintain Edward Bok’s legacy of the Gardens as a gift to the American public.
Th e 2011 Master Plan will not be accomplished all at once. However, as with any long journey it is
essential to have a good map. Please join us as we begin to realize our vision of a world-class garden.
William Burns, Chairman of the Board David Price, President
Bok Tower Gardens Bok Tower Gardens