George L. Luthy Memorial Botanical Garden - Changing With The Times

Changing With The Times

When it opened in 1951, the Garden was called the Glen Oak Conservatory. Original plans had an estimated cost of $90,000 and included a domed roof, but when costs skyrocketed to $130,000, the dome had to be removed from the design. In 1971, the Garden was renamed the Glen Oak Botanical Garden after qualifying for membership in the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta (currently the American Public Garden Association or APGA). In February 1987, the name was changed to Luthy Botanical Garden to honor George Luthy, a soft-spoken bank president who had served on the Park Board for 30 years. Luthy had been well known for his roses (300 in his personal garden) and loved to share them with people, especially his wife, who he regularly presented with roses cut from his garden in early morning. It seems especially fitting, therefore, that the facility named in Luthy’s honor is known for its recently redesigned Rose Garden and events lawn, a popular setting for cultural events, weddings and various social occasions. Bob Streitmatter, who has been manager of Luthy Botanical Garden since 2005, has a definite vision for the Garden and what it should mean to the community. “Here at Luthy Botanical Garden, like most Gardens, our mission is to provide a garden showcase and resource center, highlighting vital connections between people, plants and nature. That mission is even more crucial in today’s world as people become increasingly isolated from nature,” he says. Following is a view of the Garden in its 60th year.