CROSBY, GARDENS .J.. -

ANNUAL REPORT Toledo's Botanical Garden and Center for the Arts

1983·was a watershed year for Crosby Gardens. The Crosby Gardens Board strengthened its cooperative efforts and developed long-range goals for the development of Crosby as Toledo's only Botanical Garden and Center for the Arts.

The Board's excellent work resulted in the contractual agreement with Geoff Rausch of Environmental Planning and Design, a Pittsburgh firm, to do a completely new master plan of Crosby Gardens. This plan will focus the future development of the Gardens, realizing its full poten­tial as one of Toledo's major assets and incorporate the unique qualities of Crosby already in place.

Crosby received major new corporate monies for pro­gram underwriting and capital improvements during the year. The development efforts resulted in a considerable in­crease in the number of corporate and council memberships providing valuable financial support for Crosby. Crosby benefited from a Small Business Administration grant awarded to the City Department of Natural Resources, allowing renovation and improvement of several specialized garden areas.

Aware that Crosby Gardens indeed is a valuable asset of this community, the City of Toledo increased its financial support of the Gardens, providing additional seasonal groundsworkers, equipment, and capital improvement monies for long-neglected repair and maintenance projects.

Increased visibility of Crosby as a botanical garden and

as a facility known for its cultural and educational pro­gramming resulted from a broad based public relations effort. New programming, such as the Fall Folk Festival, Horticultural Film Series, Fine Arts Raffle, and participa­tion as a co-sponsor of an artist-for-the-city through "lnformances" brought new audiences to the Gardens and introduced Crosby to thousands throughout the community and the outlying areas.

During this crucial year, Board committees were active in developing new personnel policies, evaluating and directing programming, prioritizing garden development, focusing on buildings and grounds areas, and continuing to strengthen our volunteer program. The John Noble Richards Memorial Committee was formed to coordinate fund-raising efforts for the Richards Memorial Garden and the Alice Adams Sculpture chosen as its focal point.

The future aim of the 1984 Board of Directors is to con­tinue "growing with Toledo." The new visitors' 'center located in the gallery and gift shop will con~inue to serve the ever-increasing visitors to Crosby who come to enjoy the beauty of the gardens and the quality programs. We will strive to realize the high goals set for the future of Crosby as it indeed can be an outstanding botanical garden of which all of Toledo can be proud.

Michael Morrissey, President, 1983

1983 Accomplishments An improved financial picture enabled Crosby to devote

efforts this year to further develop public programs to serve the needs of the community. The new horticulturist coor­dinated the major physical improvements and implemented recommendations for specific garden design and plantings. The following list of accomplishments for 1983 reflect the work by the Board, Staff, and hundreds of volunteers to meet the goal of making Crosby Gardens truly a Botanical Garden and Center for the Arts for all of Toledo.

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS • Improved grounds maintenance capability with in­

creased funds for seasonal employees • Re-design and improvement of rhododendron and

azalea area with S.B.A. grant money • Beginning of repair program for all buildings from

the "years of neglect" • Acquisition of the Hawkins property on Bancroft by

the City • Improvements to the Crosby Gift Shop and incor­

poration of a visitors' center • Planting of 8,300 spring bulbs including two educa­

tional displays of daffodil and tulip varieties • Commitment to purchase a major sculpture as focal

point of John Noble Richards Memorial Garden • Increased security for facilities and grounds during

non-activity hours. PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES

• The 300,000 visitors to Crosby included new and in­creased audiences for all programs

• New and successful Horticultural Film Series

The financial stability of Crosby Gardens and its con­tinued ability to present quality programs and fine gardens are continuing Board goals. The 1984 budget includes com­mitments to complete the Master Plan process and monies for needed garden maintenance, development and increased quality educational programs.

The use of the Gardens has grown dramatically over the years and visitors come from all over the region to events and programs, and to enjoy the beauty of the botanical displays.

1983 Allocation of Expenses

• New Fall Folk Festival tripled size and scope • Increased number of and participation by volunteers

in all areas of involvement • Completed and opened the Audubon Nature Trail • Co-sponsored"Informances;· bringing the art of

drama and word of Crosby to new audiences • Crosby's Fine Arts Festival increased revenues,

artists' sales and public acclaim • New publications, The Visitors' Guide and All

About Crosby • Crosby Gardens Purchase Award collection on

display in City offices, Chamber of Commerce, Owens-Illinois Corporate Headquarters

• Success of Crosby's children's program, "Ex­pressways" serving 2,500 children

• Beginning of master plan process • Increased audiences for new format ·of Summer

Concert Series. FUND RAISING AND FINANCE

• $200,000 raised by Crosby Board and staff for operating expenses

• Increased corporate memberships and program underwriting

• Increased individual memberships and contributions • Successful Fine Arts Raffle fund-raiser • Successful Flower Fund solicitation program • Beginning of Richards Memorial Garden fund drive.

Susan LeCron, Executive Director

Visitors to Crosby during 1983 Crosby Gardens Memberships Days Conference Center and public buildings used Number of persons using Conference Center Number of meetings held in Conference Center Number of class/workshop participants Number of guided tours of Gardens Active volunteers (including Festivals, special events)

1983 Income Sources

*Users Fees 37%

300,000 2,200

302 13,500

927 2,824

32 400

Administration 16%

Public Relations / Memberships 7%

. Corporate Contributions 13%

*Program income, Arts Festival, Resident Organization fees **Rental property, concessions

Major Physical Improvements During 1983, it was possible for Crosby Gardens to make

a number of major physical improvements to the gardens and the facilities. Funding for these projects came from the City of Toledo Capital Improvement Fund, donations, special development grants, and support from individuals.

Evergreen screen plantings for

Front door of Conference Center

C P & You parking lot Herb Garden fountain repaired

New

Painted

Groundcover display area

irrigation

Involvement with the CET A program and additional seasonal personnel from the City Department of Natural Resources, provided the grounds crew to accomplish the improvements.

New bricJv,­walkways

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Repair Hawkins house roof --+

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Brass Balloon Gift Shop-new deck, siding, walkways, and plant materials

• George P. Crosby Gardens• 5403 Elmer Drive, Box 7430 • Toledo, Ohio 43615 • (419) 536-8365

Crosby Gardens Supporters Crosby Gardens gratefully acknowledges the generosity of all of its sup­

porters and gives special recognition to those who made donations to special funds or joined the Crosby membership program at the Council level or above during 1983.

Allied Chemical Frank and Betty Almester Mr. and Mrs. John D. Anderson The Andersons Art Iron Foundation Arthur Young and Company Arts Commission of Greater Toledo Bennett Management Corporation Mr. and Mrs. Richard Benson Mrs. Earl Billmire The Blade Foundation The Blade Good Neighbor Fund Richard W. Boers Mr. and Mrs. Jack Brigham Audrey Bugbee Mrs. Melvin Burwell Mr. and Mrs. Ray Busick James Carroll Samuel G. Carson Cavalear Realty Company Champion Spark Plug Churchill's Super Markets William V. Coulacos and Associates Mrs. Margaret Crowe Dana Corporation Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Dodd Dura Corporation Dr. and Mrs. Willard Emch James and Martha Falvey Mr. and Mrs. John K. Fisher First National Bank Mr. and Mrs. Darrell Fox France Stone Company Angelo Cangas Goerlich Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Robert Graham Richard Gray Mrs. Hugh Gunderson Mr. and Mrs. William Hankins Dr. and Mrs. W. Hartung, Jr.

Hausman Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Heyman Mrs. James Hodge Huntington Bank I.B.M. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Jamra Mr. and Mrs. Harold Janies Johnson Control, Globe Battery Division Mr. and Mrs. George M. Jones, Jr. Junior League of Toledo, Inc. The Kroger Company Mrs. Richard Kasie Marvin Kobacker L.S.T. Corporation Arthur Landseadel Lane Drug Company Libbey-Owens-Ford Mr. and Mrs. Richard MacAdams Mr. George P. MacNichol, Jr. Clair F. Martig Mather Corporation Meadowbrook Hall Mr. and Mrs. Earl W. Morrison . Mosser Construction Maumee Valley Herb Society National Cement · Needle Arts Guild Needmor Foundation The Netherlands Society Ohio Arts Council Ohio Bell Ohio Citizens Owens-Coming Fiberglas Owen-Illinois Corporation Owens-Illinois Sportsmen's Club Jack Paquette Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Poll, Jr. R K O Bottlers Ransom Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Raskin

1984 Crosby Gardens Board of Directors

David Ridenour, President Charles Yeager, Vice President Nancy Metzger, Vice President Mary Collins, Secretary Larry Gibson, Treasurer Marie Dodd Donald Dobbs Fritz Fisher Edith Franklin Katherine Leslie Pauline Marzollini Marilyn McCormick Robert Mercer Michael Morrissey Jack Paquette Toddy Patoff Robert Pearce Richard Skuce Robert Snell Leslie Snodgrass Robert Roberts,

Special Council for Development Richard W. Boers, City Liaison

Director, Natural Resources

Associate Board Members Mary Babbs Bonnie Cready Janis Dienes Bob Dom Karle Luca! Stacey Miller Milford Romanoff

Honorary Lifetime Board Members Mrs. C. Justice Brown Mel C. Byers Mrs. Leonard Farmer James Kline Dr. Joseph Schradie Mrs. Neil Waterbury Charles Stahl Arthur Landseadel Mrs. Benjamin E. Gillette

Reichert Stamping Mrs. John Noble Richards Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Ring Mr. and Mrs. Harold Roe Root Outdoor Advertising Rudolph Libbe, Inc. Sambom, Steketee, Otis, & Evans Mr. and Mrs. Jack Schiller Schindler Haughton Elevator Corp. Seaway Foodtown Sheller Globe Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Skilliter Miss Arlyne N. Stoll Dr. and Mrs. William Stemfield Storer Communications Steve Stranahan Sylvania Savings Bank Teledyne C.A.E. Telephone Pioneers of America O.V.C. #80 Dr. and Mrs. M.M. Thompson Mr. and Mrs. Bradford Thompson Toledo Area Miniature Enthusiasts Toledo Artists' Club Toledo Pressed Steel Toledo Federation of Musicians Toledo Rose Society Toledo Rotary Toledo Trust Corporation William Turnbull United Home Federal Mr. and Mrs. George Ward Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Ward Donald L. Warkentin Mrs. Marvin Wilkinson Mr. and Mrs. Keith Wilson Zonta Club

Crosby Gardens Staff

Susan LeCron, Executive Director Jay Brewster, Landscape Architect Beverlee Anderson,

Community Relations Director Betsy Phelan, Program Coordinator Stephen Johnston, Program Coordinator Wendy Floyd,

Volunteer Services Coordinator Genevieve Theiss, Administrative Assistant Julie Bodette, Graphic Artist

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