Fiscal Note
No appropriation required.
Title
Commending Nancy Ragland for her service to the City of Madison as Director of Olbrich Botanical Gardens.
Body
WHEREAS, Nancy Ragland began her permanent career of public service with the City of Madison parks on January 1, 1976; and
WHEREAS, for a number of years, Nancy Ragland was a Landscape Architect in park planning and during this time she worked to make parking lots more environmentally friendly with appropriate landscaping; and
WHEREAS, while a park planner, Nancy Ragland was able to design some of the early Olbrich gardens, including the old Rose Garden, the Rock Garden, and the Herb Garden; and
WHEREAS, on May 4, 1987, Nancy Ragland became the manager of the Olbrich Botanical Center and Gardens, and now after 30 years with the City of Madison she is retiring and it is appropriate to recognize her many public accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, Nancy Ragland has successfully cherished the legacy and dream of Michael Olbrich, who secured the lands for the Gardens, as a place where all are welcomed to this wonderful public park and garden for their enjoyment; and
WHEREAS, Nancy Ragland has built partnerships with the many garden clubs and societies that make fruitful use of the Botanical Center and has built further partnerships with area businesses, community, and neighborhood groups; and
WHEREAS, during Nancy Ragland's leadership, membership in the Olbrich Botanical Society has grown to 5,000, and partnerships she built were key to the growth and sustenance of the Gardens; and
WHEREAS, Nancy Ragland looked to the future of the gardens with the campaign for the Bolz Conservatory and new Botanical Center and opened them in 1991; and
WHEREAS, Nancy Ragland's then helped build the Sunken Garden, the new Perennial Garden, the Wildflower Garden, and the Donors Arbor; and
WHEREAS, the long-term future of the Gardens was secured with the acquisition of the Garver Building and lands, thereb...
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