MADISON, Wis. — Olbrich Botanical Gardens will undergo a major expansion and redesign.
What You Need To Know
Initially, expansion proposals called for relocating the Olbrich Park playground and moving the basketball court, baseball diamonds and ice rink. Those plans were scrapped after community pushback
The expansion is a direct result of increasing visitor numbers. In 2025, Olbrich Botanical Gardens welcomed a record nearly 400,000 people
So far, expansion plans include renovating the Bolz Conservatory and improving parking and accessibility for people with special needs. They also plan to add two new outdoor event spaces, a café, a children’s play area, public art, pedestrian bridges, boardwalks and more gardens
The City of Madison Parks Division is expected to approve the expansion plans in July
People who live nearby have expressed some concerns, and shared some of the things they don’t want to change.
Like most neighbors, Hilary Gerstein doesn’t want changes at the botanical gardens to affect Olbrich Park, which sits next to the gardens along Lake Monona, just across Starkweather Creek.
“We like that they are maintaining as much of the green space of Olbrich Park as possible,” Gerstein said.
Initially, expansion proposals called for relocating the Olbrich Park playground and moving the basketball court, baseball diamonds and ice rink. Those plans were scrapped after community pushback.
So was a pitch to add parking to a small, residential street nearby.
“It’s important to the community that a canoe and kayak launch still exist in this general area,” Gerstein said.
Tanya Zastrow, the executive director of Olbrich Botanical Gardens, said they are taking community feedback seriously.
She said they want to be a good neighbor as they grow.
“I’m just thankful for all the public participation we’ve had in this process,” Zastrow said. “We’re here because of the community.”
The expansion is a direct result of increasing visitor numbers. In 2025, Olbrich Botanical Gardens welcomed a record nearly 400,000 people.
“Dane County and Madison are growing really fast, faster than anticipated, so we anticipate our attendance will continue to grow as our community grows,” Zastrow said.
So far, expansion plans include renovating the Bolz Conservatory and improving parking and accessibility for people with special needs. They also plan to add two new outdoor event spaces, a café, a children’s play area, public art, pedestrian bridges, boardwalks and more gardens.
“Just [to] create a better experience for everyone and be able to welcome new audiences as well,” Zastrow said.
Gerstein is hopeful it will improve the overall neighborhood.
“It’s all the urban-ness that you would want from a small city while still having all of this green space, all of this outdoor recreation,” she said.
The City of Madison Parks Division is expected to approve the expansion plans in July.
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