{{Use American English|date=September 2025}} {{Short description|Botanical gardens and arboretum in Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox park | name = Lauritzen Gardens | image = frameless | image_size = | image_caption = | type = Private | location = South Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. | coordinates = {{coord|41.234397|-95.916116|display=inline,title|type:landmark}} | area = {{convert|100|acre}} | created = {{start date|1994}} | operator = | visitation_num = | status = Open | website = {{Official website|https://www.lauritzengardens.org/}} }}
'''Lauritzen Gardens''' are a botanical gardens and arboretum located at 100 Bancroft Street, South Omaha, Nebraska, United States. The gardens originally opened in 1994 as the '''Omaha Botanical Gardens'''. The visitors center opened in 2001 and the center rebranded to its current name. The center also includes the Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory, opened 2014, and Sofia's Play Garden, opened 2025. The gardens are open daily during business hours; an admission fee is charged.
==History== Plans to open a botanical center in Omaha were first proposed in the early 1970s. The proposed botanical center never made it to construction and was cancelled. In 1982, following the Des Moines Botanical Center's opening, Omaha Botanical Center Inc. announced the development of a similar development.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1982-11-21 |title=Interest Here |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald-interest-here/180215933/ |access-date=2025-09-02 |work=Omaha World-Herald |pages=34}}</ref> It wasn't until 1988 that concrete plans were announced for the botanical gardens.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=1988-09-10 |title=Site Announcement Due Soon |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald-site-announcement-due/180216227/ |access-date=2025-09-02 |work=Omaha World-Herald |pages=55}}</ref>
While the center was offered land from Union Pacific on its former shops area, developers instead chose a site closer to the Henry Doorly Zoo. The site was a former garbage dump, which was cleared in 1981.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1991-03-12 |title=UP makes land donation offer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/telegraph-up-makes-land-donation-offer/180217039/ |access-date=2025-09-02 |work=Telegraph |pages=6}}</ref> The botanical center encountered several delays. While planting was intended to start in 1989, it wasn't until 1993 that the center began planting.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=1993-05-18 |title=Botanical Center to Begin Planting |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald-botanical-center-to-b/180226367/ |access-date=2025-09-02 |work=Omaha World-Herald |pages=1}}</ref> It opened in April 1994 as Omaha Botanical Gardens.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1994-04-22 |title=Omaha Botanical Gardens Shows Off Spring Colors |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald-omaha-botanical-garde/180227022/ |access-date=2025-09-02 |work=Omaha World-Herald |pages=48}}</ref>
In March 2000, a $16 million visitor's and education center was announced. Designed by HDR and Christner, the building would be {{convert|32000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} large. The building included a Floral Display Hall for year-round seasonal displays, a gift shop, a cafe, and a special events center.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2000-03-18 |title=Well-Tended Plot Grows, Matures |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald-well-tended-plot-grow/180227488/ |access-date=2025-09-02 |work=Omaha World-Herald |pages=18}}</ref> The center officially opened in 2001. That same year, the center changed its name to Lauritzen Gardens, named for the Lauritzen Family.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2001-10-03 |title=New name, new look for gardens |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald-new-name-new-look-fo/180227861/ |access-date=2025-09-02 |work=Omaha World-Herald |pages=39}}</ref>thumb|Ripe crab apple fruit at the gardens.The model railroad garden opened in 2007.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2007-07-08 |title=Lauritzen Gardens opens model railroad garden |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lincoln-journal-star-lauritzen-gardens-o/180228183/ |access-date=2025-09-02 |work=Lincoln Journal Star |pages=40}}</ref> The Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory, a $20 million greenhouse addition, opened in 2014. The conservatory is a glass building that is {{Convert|17,000|sqft|sqm}} large.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=2014-10-19 |title=Lauritzen Gardens Conservatory is a clear winner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lincoln-journal-star-lauritzen-gardens-c/180228316/ |access-date=2025-09-02 |work=Lincoln Journal Star |pages=F1}}</ref> In 2025, Lauritzen Gardens opened Sofia's Play Garden, a playground located to the north of the visitors center.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-23 |title=Lauritzen Gardens set to open new addition Monday |url=https://www.3newsnow.com/south-omaha/lauritzen-gardens-set-to-open-new-addition-monday |access-date=2025-09-02 |website=KMTV 3 News Now Omaha |language=en}}</ref> That same year, the Daugherty Conservatory underwent renovations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-19 |title='A completely new experience': Lauritzen Gardens begins planting in updated conservatory |url=https://www.ketv.com/article/lauritzen-gardens-begins-planting-updated-conservatory/65822142 |access-date=2025-09-02 |website=KETV |language=en}}</ref>
== Design == Lauritzen Gardens has a total area of {{convert|100|acre}} and is named for the Lauritzen Family. The gardens have two buildings, the visitor center and the Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lauritzen Gardens |url=https://www.visitomaha.com/listings/lauritzen-gardens/63909/ |access-date=2025-10-14 |website=www.visitomaha.com |language=en-us}}</ref> The visitors center includes {{convert|32000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} of space and the conservatory includes {{Convert|17,000|sqft|sqm}} of space.<ref name=":1" /> Also included is Sofia's Play Garden, located North of the visitors center, and a model railroad garden.<ref name=":2" />
== See also == * List of botanical gardens in the United States * Lauritzen Corporation * Kenefick Park
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website|https://www.lauritzengardens.org/}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Arboreta in Nebraska Category:Botanical gardens in Nebraska Category:Parks in Omaha, Nebraska Category:Tourist attractions in Omaha, Nebraska Category:1982 establishments in Nebraska