County Parks Group Receives $1M Gift

Montgomery County has received $1 million from a private donor to help build a new growing greenhouse at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton.

The greenhouse is part of a Master Plan adopted in 2005 to enhance the garden.

The Montgomery Parks Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides money and support to Montgomery Parks, secured the donation from Joan O’Rourke, who has worked with the staff at Brookside Gardens for several years on the project, according to My Montgomery Community Media.

“Brookside Gardens is honored to be the recipient of such a generous gift,” Stephanie Oberle, Director of Brookside Gardens, told the news outlet. “The growing greenhouses support all aspects of our operations, including conservatory displays, the Wings of Fancy live butterfly exhibit, our landscapes and many educational programs. It is a special donor indeed who recognizes the critical importance of well-designed and energy-efficient infrastructure to sustain the beautiful plants and gardens so loved by our community.”

The greenhouse costs $3.2 million to construct. The project has also received $1.2 million from the State of Maryland and $1 million from Montgomery County through the Capital Improvement Plan.

>>Read the full story at My Montgomery Community Media.

>>Image from My Montgomery Community Media