Council Adopts Rose Garden Master Plan

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday adopted the Rose Garden Master Plan that was presented by MHS Planning and Design, LLC of Tyler. On February 13, 2013, Tyler City Council approved a proposal from MHS Planning and Design, LLC and Oliver Windham, Landscape Architect, to prepare a master plan for the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden. The project allowed for a master plan to be developed prior to Capital Improvement Funds being disbursed which were originally for a restroom and drainage work. According to a city news release, the Master Plan has been completed for the Garden after numerous opportunities for public input and recommendations on overall improvements to the facility.

�The Tyler Rose Garden attracts thousands of tourists to Tyler every year,� said Parks Director Stephanie Rollings. �It makes sense for us to make updates allowing for increased use of the facility.� According to the release, the Plan addresses visitation and programming, ADA accessibility, signage, restroom locations, new gardens, lighting, site furniture, incorporating more variety of plants in with the roses, the possibility of adding a caf�, and other key findings. Officials say the plan was created in phases so construction can be completed as funding becomes available.

Additional programming events include:

* Concerts in the park
* Plays
* Art exhibits
* Art classes
* Date nights
* Hands-on educational events for children
* Wedding packages
* Christmas events, and
* Civic Theatre camps

On April 14, 2014, MHS Planning and Design, LLC presented the final version of the Master Plan for review and comment at the City of Tyler Park Board Meeting. After favorable discussion, the Park Board unanimously approved the Master Plan. Funding for construction could be initiated from a variety of public/private partnerships as well as possible hotel occupancy tax funding as a tourism venue.