Opportunity
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in Washington, DC, is a unique national park featuring over 45 ponds of lotus and water lilies, offering both a serene escape and a vital ecosystem. Seeking to enhance visitor experiences, deepen community engagement, and build financial sustainability, Aquatic Gardens partnered with Onward Consulting.
Process
Onward studied best-in-class organizations like Mississippi Park Connection, Rock Creek Conservancy, Conservancy for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and Friends of Saguaro National Park to uncover successful strategies the Aquatic Gardens could adopt:
- Visitor Engagement: Inspired by Mississippi’s programming, we recommended introducing kayak rentals to offer visitors a new way to experience the gardens.
- Volunteer Management: Learning from Rock Creek, we proposed a tiered volunteer plan targeting corporate groups and community volunteers to strengthen garden maintenance.
- Revenue Diversification: Drawing from Cuyahoga Valley’s model, we suggested fee-based services like cultural and educational programs to create sustainable revenue.
- Community Engagement: Building on Saguaro’s success, we emphasized local outreach and a membership program to foster lasting community ties.
Impact
Strategic engagements like this reveal how tailored, innovative solutions from peer organizations can be adapted to a new context. The insights we gained showed that increasing interactivity, offering structured volunteer opportunities, diversifying revenue, and fostering strong local connections are crucial for long-term impact. This work provided Aquatic Gardens with a clear path to amplify its mission while raising friends and funds for a cherished local asset.