Powell Gardens is the botanical garden destination for the Kansas City area. To increase revenue and boost foot traffic, the Heartland Garden will undergo remodeling to elevate experiences for better engagement, circulation, and right-sizing of the venues. Led by Studio Outside (Dallas) with Deneen Powell Atelier Inc. (San Diego) and Vireo (Kansas City), the design team crafted a site design and fundraising collateral for the project.

The Heartland Garden, a 14-acre site within the 970 acres of the botanic garden, consists of the Missouri Barn & Silo, the Villandry, the Butterfly Meadow, the Potager Menu Garden, the Vineyard, the Garden Galleries with two greenhouses, and the Children’s Garden. The redesign of these elements will create enhanced opportunities for visitors to engage with the art and science of horticulture. The Steering Committee met bi-monthly to ensure the incorporation of the needs and wants of stakeholders into the new garden. Extensive collaboration between staff, board members, other community members, and the design teams developed the redesign of the garden, including eleven event venue spaces to increase revenue opportunities. Ultimately the reimagining of the Heartland Garden will increase visitorship, elevate the experience, and boost revenue opportunities for Powell Gardens.