The Durango Botanical Society will honor Cindy Smart, who recently retired as executive director, with the naming of a garden in her honor, the “Cindy Smart Miniature Tree Garden,” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Durango Public Library, during the community appreciation party.
In 2007 Smart contacted the city of Durango about developing a nonprofit that would create public gardens on city property.
Cathy Metz, Durango Parks and Recreation Department director, and Andy White, former director of the library, helped Smart develop the agreement with the city to create the Demonstration Garden. This award-winning garden, completed entirely with volunteer efforts, was dedicated in 2011 and completed in 2014.
Smart spearheaded the fundraising to develop the garden and recruited volunteers who maintain the garden. She has also developed the Botanical Society’s signature events, Gardens on Tour and the annual bulb sale.
In 2013 Smart started the docent program, which currently includes 29 highly trained docents.
Like all living, thriving gardens, this garden continues to evolve and serves as a tool for events and education programs hosted by specially trained docents.
The gardens are visited each year by thousands of locals and out-of-town visitors, including international visitors. The legacy of the Durango Botanic Gardens, which now includes a crevice and arboreta gardens, will continue to honor Smart’s vision and commitment to the community of Durango.
