Fort Worth TX Botanic Garden

Nestled in the heart of Fort Worth, Texas, the magnificent Fort Worth Botanic Garden has a long and storied history. Founded in 1934 during the Great Depression, the gardens were a public works project conceived by the City Council as a way to provide work for the unemployed and beautify the city.

The initial 120 acres were acquired with federal grant money and featured formal gardens, lily ponds, a conservatory, and 22,000 native and exotic botanical specimens. From the start, the gardens were meant to be functional – raising crops, testing agricultural methods, and providing a place for outdoor recreation. They quickly became a beloved community gathering place.

Over the decades, the gardens continued to expand and evolve. In the 1960s, the sprawling Japanese Garden was established, drawing inspiration from gardens across Japan. The 7-acre garden has become one of the most popular spots in the Botanic Gardens today.

The early 2000s saw major new additions like the Rose Garden which boasts over 3,000 roses across 7,500 square feet. The Garden Center features rotating exhibits on nature, gardening and more. From humble beginnings in the 30s, the Fort Worth Botanic Garden has blossomed into a world-class botanical oasis spanning 109 acres.