By Shereen Siewert | Wausau Pilot & Review
The Save Robert Monk’s Gardens Community Group this week issued a news release that demands an immediate halt to construction the gardens, which have been under fire for months after a controversial name change announcement.
The group this week issued a letter to the Gardens Board of Directors and the city of Wausau urging Phase 1 of the organization’s expansion plan be delayed. The letter was also sent to officials in Weston and Rib Mountain, municipalities that also received requests for funding for an upcoming Monk Gardens event.
Central to the group’s concern is urgency stemming from potential destruction of mature trees on the property, at 1800 N. First Ave., and allegations of mismanagement by Executive Director Darcie Howard.
Phase 1 of the Gardens’ upcoming construction is set to begin June 10 and involves removing trees and significant vegetation from a 3-acre area to prepare for a new parking lot. The community group is concerned about “the lack of a plan to salvage the mature trees and other vegetation,” a news release states.
The request follows a June 4 appearance by Monk Botanical Gardens Board President Paul David at a contentious Rib Mountain meeting on a Tourism Commission funding request.
During the Tourism Commission meeting, Commissioner Fred Schaefer read aloud part of an email Howard sent to Rhoden, calling the communication “odd.”
“I want to clarify some misinformation that’s been circulating on social media and in the news,” Schaefer read aloud, from Howard’s email. “The Monk Children and the Gardens have always had a strained relationship because the children did not favor donating the land to a nonprofit. This hostility has been an ongoing issue for the organization since Mr. Monk’s passing. They were displeased with the name change and have successfully incited others to be hostile towards the organization. Our mistake was underestimating their ability to rally people against us.”
“The Community Group is exploring legal options and potential onsite protests to halt Phase 1 but hope the Gardens’ Board of Directors will take action to prevent destructive actions that could take up to a century to repair,” the group’s statement reads.
In an email to Wausau Pilot, David issued a lengthy statement on behalf of the board defending the Gardens’ actions. He said planned improvements also include updated fencing and security features, an English Garden and a children’s play area. Plans are also in place to make trails smoother and more accessible for people with walking disabilities or who are “wheelchair bound,” he said.
The parking lot is in the location set forth in the original master plan approved by Robert W. Monk III, who donated a significant portion of the land that ultimately became the Gardens, David said, though he acknowledged that the lot is larger than that of the original plan.
“Part of the parking lot construction that needs to occur is due to the presence of 3M fill material at the site,” David said. “This material is considered unstable for any type of improvement and will need to be removed, requiring the removal of additional trees, shrubbery, grass, and other materials. Whereas the parking lot to be installed is larger than that of the original plan, we must be in compliance with the regulations set forth by the City of Wausau.
David said that additional land was purchased since the original master plan was approved, increasing the overall size of the gardens.
“The fundraising that makes these wonderful improvements possible has been ongoing for years and has been well known by many involved,” David said. “While it is difficult to see the removal of any mature trees and shrubbery from the landscape, these are necessary improvements that cultivate a larger opportunity for all community members to safely enjoy the gardens while maintaining ample areas of mature trees and landscaping.”
David, on behalf of the board, also had sharp words for the organization’s critics.
“It is unfortunate that those opposed to the improvements have waited until the final moment to vocalize their objections in this manner,” David said. “However, we hope that all can appreciate the benefits these important infrastructure improvements and garden enhancements provide the gardens and overall community.”
