The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, part of the Olmsted Park Conservancy, was built in 1894. The conservatory was modeled after the Crystal Palace at Kew Gardens in England. On its opening in 1900, it was the third largest public greenhouse in the United States and was ranked ninth largest in the world.
Today, in response to present day expectations (needs?), the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, has created a Master Plan. It includes increased greenhouse display space and event facility space, as well as additional parking, classrooms, and a café.
The Gardens selected the Magellan Group to facilitate and guide it in the development of its 2016-2019 Strategic Plan, a unique element of which is the incorporation of a Business Plan. This will set the processes in place so that the Gardens can realize its ultimate goal, the Master Plan.
A significant part in guiding the Gardens through this important planning phase is addressing the organizational shift required to reach their goal. Areas being assessed in the plan include evaluating capacity and infrastructure needs. Over the next few years, the Gardens will focus on heightening and enhancing the overall customer experience. This will include engaging audiences in a variety of innovative ways and taking an original approach to creating an exceptional visitor experience.