The Vision

Barry Fugatt addresses Grand Opening crowd

The Linnaeus Teaching Garden, a gift to northeastern Oklahoma, was dedicated on June 8, 2006, before an enthusiastic crowd of more than 200 people who gathered under a tent that was standing room only.

The speakers expressed thanks for all the time, money and effort expended by so many people who helped make the garden a reality. But it all started with a vision, said Bonnie Hammond, former executive director of the Tulsa Garden Center, a vision first voiced by Tulsa Garden Center horticulturist, Barry Fugatt.

The vision began with the idea of teaching homeowners the possibilities for their own backyards. But the vision at first lacked the components necessary to make it a success – funds, location, plants and products, and volunteers.

It All Comes Together

Then, slowly but surely during 2005 and early 2006 the pieces fell into place:

• First, funds were donated through nearly 3,000 individual donations equaling more than $800,000.
• Second, the Tulsa Parks Department provided the location, authorizing the use of 1.55 acres of prime real estate located in Woodward Park.
• Third, industry sponsors stepped up to donate products and services for hardscaping and planting having a value of more than $500,000. More than 4,000 individual plants comprise the garden, and they have all been donated. These donations have been ongoing over the life of the garden.
• Last but not least, over 180 people volunteered to become the initial group of Linnaeus Gardeners. It was these volunteers who contributed their time and effort to prepare the beds and plant the trees, shrubs and flowers that grace the garden.

On June 9, 2007, the public turned out in force to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Linnaeus Teaching Garden.

Garden Namesake

The garden was named in honor of Carl Linnaeus, Swedish naturalist and the father of botany. Rosalind Cook, a Tulsa sculptor, created a six-foot tall full-figure bronze statue of Carl Linnaeus that she unveiled in the garden pavilion as the finale of the dedication.