Tulipa
LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Of the Gardens’ four core values – transformation, sustainability, diversity and relevance – transformation most aptly describes the results of our activities in 2009.
From the structural changes that will ensure the Gardens becomes a center of excellence, to the programmatic elements that enabled our visitors to gain knowledge and spiritual growth, the power of transformation permeated all aspects of the Gardens’ operations.
Transformation is typically characterized as a sudden occurrence, an instance of change that creates a new reality. However, the story behind that transformation often portrays a much longer process – an evolution – that requires the hard work, talent and vision of many over decades. Such is the story of Denver Botanic Gardens.
As you have witnessed in the pages of this annual report, the Gardens, in partnership with GH Phipps Construction Company, had the privilege of making a large part of that vision become a reality in 2009. Spurred by our master development plan and maintained by our Flourish Capital Campaign, this trans- formation was most visible in its construction aspects, as the
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Bonfils-Stanton Visitor Center and Parking Garage rose from the ground.
Despite myriad construction projects, our programmatic elements remained strong, resulting in another record-breaking year in terms of attendance: 632,736 visitors. Whether it was the whimsical “Jurassic Gardens” dinosaur exhibit (which increased attendance during June and July by 13 percent), our wide variety of engaging education programs or popular events such as Blossoms of Light (a GH Phipps Construction Companies-sponsored event that drew a record crowd of 46,905 people), the Gardens successfully continued to connect people with plants during this time of transition.
We also connected with some new demographic groups, thanks to our efforts in social media (Facebook, Twitter, the Gardens’ blog, etc.). For instance, our new Garden Grapes and Hops event – a summer party that features food, drink and live music – attracted the highest percentage of attendees within the sometimes elusive 25-39 age group.
Even our occasional nemesis, bad weather, could do nothing to dampen this momentum. The Pumpkin Festival, which was originally scheduled for Oct. 10-11, had to be moved to the
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