Gardens Gates Could Close Again

Augusta, GA—Augusta’s budget troubles could spell troubles for the Botanical Gardens.

Commissioners voted not to renew the lease with the state to run the Botanical Gardens until next years budget gets worked out.

Leonard Vann loves his work; he took a part time job at the Botanical Gardens when the city took over the operation late last year.

“I love them it’s just beautiful and relaxing I enjoy making my rounds early in the morning,” he said.

But those rounds could be coming to an end. The Recreation Department has been told to cut $700,000 from its budget, and keeping up the gardens is a big expense.

“We’re looking at $140,000 a year that includes all the utilities, all the supplies, repairs that go into it as well as the manpower to operate the park,” says Director Tom Beck.

The park is in the city’s hands because commissioners approved coming to the gardens rescue last year after the state locked the doors.

The feeling being it was too big an investment to let go to waste, but keeping it open now could come at the expense of other city parks.

“I think that is a real possibility the gardens will close in January,” says Commissioner Jerry Brigham.

Chris McCormick volunteers at the gardens, he says the city needs to slam the door on this talk of closing the doors.

“To me it’s a real big deal, I mean I spend a lot of time down here volunteering I think the city of Augusta and some people need to step up then that’s what I think,” he said.

But if the city doesn’t step up after this Christmas there could be very little cheer in these gardens.