Holden Forests & Gardens Master Plan

JLP+D was part of a team that developed a comprehensive master plan and programming strategies for two sites owned by the non-profit Holden Forests & Gardens - the Cleveland Botanical Garden and The Holden Arboretum. Located in Cleveland’s University Circle neighborhood, the Cleveland Botanical Garden is an anchor of the city’s cultural district, with manicured outdoor gardens and unique indoor ecosystems in its glasshouses. The Holden Arboretum, located 25 miles east in the suburb of Kirtland, comprises 3,500 acres of maintained woodlands, hiking trails, and scenic vistas.

As part of the planning process, JLP+D assessed the client’s existing and prospective programming, finances, and physical spaces - both indoors and outdoors, engaged with local stakeholders, and assessed national precedents for needs and best practices. These were used to identify opportunities to create spaces, programs, and offerings that drive engagement and interest from members and attendees, provide revenue streams for the organization, and create a welcoming place that attracts new visitors, especially from the nearby communities that had not previously felt invited or represented at either location.