Montgomery opens Forest Avenue pedestrian entrance at Botanical Garden, partners highlight trails and accessibility
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Mayor Steve Reed and community partners on Friday celebrated a new pedestrian entrance on Forest Avenue at the Montgomery Botanical Garden, saying the access point will make the site more visible and walkable for nearby neighborhoods and strengthen links to planned trail segments.
The entrance was unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony that brought together city officials, garden volunteers, River Region Trails staff and health-system leaders. "This new pedestrian entrance on Forest Avenue is more than a gateway. It's a symbol, a symbol of healing," Mayor Steve Reed said, invoking Oak Park's history (established in 1899, closed in 1959 during segregation and reopened in 1965) as part of the garden's renewed role in the community.
Ashley Thorne, executive director of River Region Trails, said the site sits at the intersection of two proposed trail segments—historic Highland Avenue to the north and the Jackson Cut, an abandoned rail line that she said could eventually reach the riverfront. "We don't have to wait for massive capital projects to have a safer, more accessible streets," Thorne said, urging small investments such as curbing and pedestrian entrances to improve safety and connectivity now.
John Quinlivan, CEO of Jackson Hospital, said the hospital is proud to be a neighbor to the garden and encouraged staff and patients to use the green space. "I can't imagine a better neighborhood for a hospital than a botanical garden," Quinlivan said after touring the site.
Gandhi Daniels, executive director of the Wellness Coalition, described the Oak Park Connection Project as part of a CDC cooperative agreement with REACH and a physical-activity program, and said the coalition provided both strategic direction and financial support to center health equity in the project's design.
Organizers also acknowledged the garden's volunteers, master gardeners and donors, and invited attendees to refreshments and self-guided tours using a printed brochure. The ceremony closed with board members, the mayor and guests assembling for the ribbon cutting and photos.
Officials said the entrance is one component of a longer-term plan that includes expanded trail networks, enhanced programming and continued investment in Oak Park to improve access and community connections.
The entrance was unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony that brought together city officials, garden volunteers, River Region Trails staff and health-system leaders. "This new pedestrian entrance on Forest Avenue is more than a gateway. It's a symbol, a symbol of healing," Mayor Steve Reed said, invoking Oak Park's history (established in 1899, closed in 1959 during segregation and reopened in 1965) as part of the garden's renewed role in the community.
Ashley Thorne, executive director of River Region Trails, said the site sits at the intersection of two proposed trail segments—historic Highland Avenue to the north and the Jackson Cut, an abandoned rail line that she said could eventually reach the riverfront. "We don't have to wait for massive capital projects to have a safer, more accessible streets," Thorne said, urging small investments such as curbing and pedestrian entrances to improve safety and connectivity now.
John Quinlivan, CEO of Jackson Hospital, said the hospital is proud to be a neighbor to the garden and encouraged staff and patients to use the green space. "I can't imagine a better neighborhood for a hospital than a botanical garden," Quinlivan said after touring the site.
Gandhi Daniels, executive director of the Wellness Coalition, described the Oak Park Connection Project as part of a CDC cooperative agreement with REACH and a physical-activity program, and said the coalition provided both strategic direction and financial support to center health equity in the project's design.
Organizers also acknowledged the garden's volunteers, master gardeners and donors, and invited attendees to refreshments and self-guided tours using a printed brochure. The ceremony closed with board members, the mayor and guests assembling for the ribbon cutting and photos.
Officials said the entrance is one component of a longer-term plan that includes expanded trail networks, enhanced programming and continued investment in Oak Park to improve access and community connections.
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