Tulsa Parks and Recreation faces struggles in filling its horticulturist positions and is now relying on volunteers and community partnerships to maintain its gardens and expand horticulture efforts.
Currently, only 50% to 60% of its horticulture positions are filled, with eight of those jobs responsible for maintaining 20 sites across Tulsa. Volunteers contributed 81 hours at Woodward Park alone last month. Those volunteers helped the city horticulture staff and supported Tulsa Garden Center needs.
“Horticulture is notoriously a high turnover position,” Stacie Martin, acting director of the department, said at the Sept. 1 Parks and Recreation board meeting.
The department is cultivating community partnerships for maintenance and expansion of landscaping across Tulsa. Partners contribute labor and funding. Part of those volunteer needs includes working at a neighborhood-managed wildflower plot and the wetlands at the Oxley Nature Center.
Discovered by Documenters
This was informed by Faith Harl and Michael Searles’ Documenter notes from the Parks and Recreation Board meeting Sept. 1. Find out more about how Tulsa Documenters works here.
News decisions at the Tulsa Flyer are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
