To understand why there is controversy regarding the implementation of entry fees at The Dawes Arboretum, one must understand the intent of my grandparents, Beman and Bertie Dawes, when they founded the arboretum. It was intended as a place of beauty and respite where the public could go to enjoy themselves and learn about trees, nature and history. Importantly it was established by the founders to allow everyone, people of all income groups to enter free of charge. To enable the public to come to its grounds free of charge, Beman & Bertie established an endowment to cover basic annual operating expenses. Modest in the beginning, that endowment has now grown to well-over $70 million dollars. For those concerned the arboretum does have the funds to keep its doors open, worry no more, my friends. There is plenty of money to ensure the long term stability of the arboretum. This controversy will remain as long as this unnecessary fee is charged to visitors. Tear down this wall, trustees!
Just read this awful news about my hometown charging visitors a fee, to the place I grew up sharing time with and learning so much about nature with my mother and brother and this just broke my heart! Mr. Charles is right......follow the footsteps his grandparents started. This world is already squeezing the life out of everyday happiness, why keep those who are already struggling, out of learning more about what God has created? I was planning on making a trip back there with my cousins...the next generation, but I'll take them to my nearby, local and free arboretum close to home. God bless you and hopefully, you'll reconsider keeping The Dawes dream alive!
Stranger, only a smiles free!
Here is a response from Dawes, posted in another reply: We will begin charging admission in spring of 2019. More information can be found at https://dawesarb.org/a-message-from-our-executive-director/.
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