Title
Honoring and recognizing Philadelphia's public gardens.
Body
WHEREAS, Public gardens have rich histories and are home to vast collections of plants for the purposes of public engagement, enjoyment, and health and wellness, in addition to research, conservation, and informal and formal learning. They are open to the public and managed by professionals trained to maintain these beautiful greenspaces in our City and neighboring counties; and
WHEREAS, American Public Gardens Association recognizes these lush greenspaces in a diversity of ways from botanical gardens, arboreta, cemeteries, zoological gardens, sculpture gardens, college and university campuses, historic homes, urban greening organizations, natural areas, and city/county/state/federal parks; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia is America's Garden Capital with a tradition of horticulture dating back 300 years. Today, there are more than 35 gardens within 30 miles of the City of Philadelphia's center, welcoming more than 3 million people a year. Many of these gardens are located outside of the landmark City yet enhance the City's vibrancy, educational and tourism status, and quality of life; and
WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia is home to a vast array of public gardens, including the Morris Arboretum, the Arboretum at Laurel Hill and West Hill Cemeteries, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the Awbury Arboretum, Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, James G. Kaskey Memorial Park, and Bartram's Garden; and
WHEREAS, The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1887 by John and Lydia Morris, inspires an understanding of the relationship between plants, people, and place through education, research, and horticultural display. A vital part of one of the great research universities of the world, the Morris Arboretum is renowned for its science aimed at understanding and conserving plants and ecosystems; and
WHEREAS, Listed on The National Register of Historic Places, the Morris Arbo...
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