By Shereen Siewert | Wausau Pilot & Review
A decision to rename Monk Botanical Gardens has sparked enormous public outrage, with hundreds of people signing a petition that asks for reconsideration.
Monk Botanical Gardens will become Wausau Botanic Gardens, according to a news release issued Friday. The petition to reverse that decision, launched by Kolton Heldt, garnered more than 360 signatures in a 24-hour span.
“Yikes, what an embarrassingly horrible decision to callously disregard this family’s hard work and generous donation,” wrote Jane Lagos, formerly of Wausau. “If the board insists on a name change to identify location, why not keep the donor family’s name up front and call it Monk Botanical Gardens of Wausau? What were they thinking?!?”
Monk Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. First Ave., was established in 2003 as a nonprofit when Mr. Monk donated 21 acres of land to a group of volunteers to further his vision of a beautiful botanical garden focused on education.
Since then, the space has been a haven for nature lovers and has grown to offer additional programs for adults and children year-round. In 2019, the Monk Botanical Gardens board and staff revised the prior 2005 master plan and in 2020 presented new concepts for the garden moving forward.
The new master plan envisions a large visitor center with both a gift shop and coffee shop, along with an education wing with classrooms and other amenities. The document, found at this link, also outlines plans for a beer garden, outdoor performances in the Amphitheater, an Orangery to display plantings in the wintertime, a 5,500-square-foot greenhouse, an Enabling Garden for visitors with special needs and much more.
Executive Director Darcie Howard, in Friday’s news release, said the name change decision embraces the garden’s growth and enhances the positive influence it has on the community.
“We have evolved from a personal asset to an incredible community asset, and our new name reflects that journey,” she wrote. “A name change is in the best interest of the organization and the community we serve so that our roots will continue to deepen as a community asset.”
Dave Eckmann, executive director of the Wausau Chamber of Commerce, is also quoted in the release.
“As people travel the state of Wisconsin it is vitally important to identify and communicate community economic assets,” Eckmann said. “Wausau Botanic Gardens (formerly Monk Gardens) will bring greater geographic acknowledgment of an incredibly important economic asset.”
But that statement did not sit well with many readers, some of whom said the Gardens appear to be putting profit over people.
“It feels like an effort to distance from the donor and mission,” wrote Brenda Christian. “Frankly it worries me and creates distrust at the future direction of the garden.”
The online petition to reverse the decision says the Monk name has always been synonymous with the gardens.
“Robert Monk’s philanthropic spirit brought this garden into existence. It is not just a place of beauty but also a symbol of community and generosity that Mr. Monk embodied,” the petition reads. “His contribution to our city goes beyond just this garden; it is an integral part of our local history and identity.”
Restoring the original name would be a fitting tribute to Robert Monk’s contribution to our community, the petition reads.
From a tourism aspect, Tim White, executive director of Visit Wausau, was also quoted in Friday’s release saying that the name change will enhance the area’s visibility and appeal as a must-visit location in the region.
But some readers reject that notion and say that Monk Gardens is already well established and easy for visitors to find without changing the name.
“I first saw Monk Botanical Gardens on Google maps 2 summers ago while planning a trip to Wausau from my home in NYC,” wrote Rebecca Wrays. “The Monk name makes it unique and inviting, and I made a point of going! Renaming it to Wausau just sets it up to comparison with larger botanic gardens and, worse, takes the magic away. I see it’s already changed on Google. Part of what makes Wausau special is its local history. Sad to see it being stripped away. The newly elected mayor should take note.”
One commenter, Kari Bender, noted that there is precedent in Olbrich Gardens in Madison. It’s not Madison Gardens, and yet people know it and love it, she wrote. She also said the name change ignores the rest of the metro area and the people in outlying communities who visit and support the garden.
Some are calling for the board not only to reverse its decision, but to apologize to the community and the Monk family.
“I don’t think this board or executive director have a clue about how to represent the Wausau community,” wrote Kasha Oelke. “If they did, they would realize that the Monk family is supported by the community. Disrespecting the Monk family in turn disrespects the community. Show some respect by issuing an apology and include the Monk family name.”
Some of the discussion centered on potential admission fees, with readers disagreeing over whether people should be required to pay to enter, rather than just give a suggested donation. The Garden, previously free to all, will be implementing a $7 fee to visit, or a $35 annual membership.
One commenter, Tracy Scheel, compared using the gardens for free to “stealing” and said the organization needs funding to stay open for the community.
But others, including Darcey Westcott, pushed back on that notion.
“They can’t raise adequate funds because they’re not marketing or fundraising to their fullest potential,” Westcott wrote. “Paying staff and hiring more staff beyond what the current budget allows cannot be blamed on the name of the Gardens.”
Wausau Pilot reached out to Howard for reaction. She responded by encouraging people to submit feedback through appropriate channels.
“We are overwhelmed with the passion that the community has displayed over the name change. We want to hear from everyone. However, recently a volunteer was “accosted” at the Gardens by an individual. We must make a plea to the public and to the Monk family to encourage feedback via appropriate channels and not “accost” volunteers, staff or visitors. We know that Robert W. Monk would not approve of this behavior. We all want Mr. Monk’s vision to be realized. For any comments or concerns you can email [email protected]. “
Meanwhile, the backlash continues.
“They say we die two times in this lifetime,” wrote Roly Saavedra. “First when we take our last breath. Second, when no one utters our name anymore. Removing this generous man’s name from his vision and labor of love is shameful and a travesty.”
