Olbrich Botanical Gardens Comprehensive Master Plan

Branching Out: Planning for the Future of Olbrich Botanical Gardens 

Olbrich Botanical Gardens is creating a comprehensive master plan.  

Olbrich Botanical Gardens is planning for its future through a comprehensive master planning process. The goal of the comprehensive plan is to address aging infrastructure, explore potential garden expansion, and envision Olbrich’s future, while at the same time addressing the needs of a growing local community and tourism audience. The city of Madison and Dane County are the fastest growing communities in the state of Wisconsin, and this comprehensive plan will address how Olbrich Botanical Gardens can best serve our growing community. The resulting comprehensive master plan will guide future growth, facility needs, and priorities for Olbrich Botanical Gardens. This plan will be evidence-base and created utilizing extensive public input, census data, an economic impact report, and other monitoring databases. The final document will be used by Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison Parks, and the Olbrich Botanical Society, and is subject to public review, hearings, and formal adoption by the Board of Park Commissioners, the Madison Common Council, and the Olbrich Botanical Society. 

As part of the comprehensive master plan, an interpretive plan—funded separately by the Olbrich Botanical Society—will guide Olbrich’s core messaging, guest engagement, and wayfinding.  

 The comprehensive master planning process started in November 2025 and is anticipated to be finalized by May 31, 2026. Public input on the development of the plan will be available through surveys, open houses, pop-ups events, and focus groups. Comments may also be submitted directly to Olbrich Botanical Gardens using the contact information available on this page.