Family members thankful Wausau gardens' name changed back to Monk Botanical Gardens

WAUSAU − About a month after the board of directors decided to change the name of Monk Botanical Gardens to Wausau Botanic Gardens, it made the decision Tuesday evening to change it back again.

"I've just had a lengthy conversation with (Board President) Paul David, and I think it's the correct thing to do," said Robert W. Monk IV.

Monk IV is the son of Monk Botanical Gardens creator Robert W. Monk III, who donated 19 acres of land he had worked to turn into his idea of a botanical garden for more than 30 years to Robert W. Monk III Inc. Monk III had created the nonprofit group after he found a University of Wisconsin-Marathon County lecturer having a picnic with her daughter on his property. The two talked about the work he had done and she suggested he make it an educational facility where everyone could come and learn about gardening.

The board had decided earlier this year, the Monk name in the title was confusing people and the gardens needed a new name that highlighted the work of many Wausau volunteers who helped build the gardens to what they are today. The outcry from the Monk family and the public after the announcement changed the board's mind.

"As the board of the Robert W. Monk Gardens Inc. organization continues the process of refreshing the gardens' name and logo, we want to ensure that the legacy of Mr. Monk and the gardens' future are both clearly reflected," the board said in a news release issued Wednesday afternoon.

The release states the board recognizes it made a mistake in originally removing the name of the gardens' founder and regrets and confusion and disappointment it caused by the "oversight."

The board will return to using Monk Botanical Gardens as the name and logo, the release says.

"This measure reflects our commitment to honoring Robert W. Monk III's legacy while we work diligently to incorporate 'Robert W. Monk' more thoughtfully into the name and identity of the organization."

Monk IV said he gave David a few other suggestions for the gardens when they talked Wednesday afternoon. The suggestions included the restoration of the memorial site for Monk III and his wife, Carol. A bridge that crossed a manmade pond led to the place where the couple's ashes are buried. The bridge has needed replacing for years, according to both the gardens' Executive Director Darcie Howard and members of the Monk family.

"If they address that and do some other positive things, rather than talk about it, I'm certainly willing to work with them," Monk IV said.

The gardens' board needs to refocus on what it has to do moving forward, Monk IV said. He said he hopes there hasn't been so much damage done in the past few weeks that it can't be fixed.

Katie Monk, Monk III's granddaughter, said she's cautiously optimistic about the news the name of the gardens will be changed back.

"It's definitely step one, and that's the biggest step," Katie Monk said. "We've got more work to do with the leadership and the next phase of the garden."

Like her uncle, Katie Monk would like to see the board of directors restore Monk III and his wife's gravesite.

"I think that would show it's not just words," Katie Monk said.

Katie Monk said she is grateful for the number of people in the Wausau community who stood up and made their voices heard on the issue of changing the gardens' name.

"I am touched my grandfather meant so much to the community," Katie Monk said. "Even if folks hadn't met him or interacted with him, his contributions are valued."

Katie Monk said the family had met with the board and asked the members not to change the name, but got dismissed. She doesn't think the board would have changed its mind, if the community hadn't stepped up.

"I'm very thankful for the community that helped make this happen," Katie Monk said. "The train's back on the track. We have to make sure it keeps going in the right direction."

The board asked for the public's understanding and patience as they continue to navigate through the process and bring to life visions that inspire all.

As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, the organization's website address and name continued to be Wausau Botanic Gardens, but the news release sent out had the Monk Botanical Gardens logo.

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Contact Karen Madden at 715-345-2245 or kmadden@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @KMadden715, Instagram @kmadden715 or Facebook at www.facebook.com/karen.madden.33.

This article originally appeared on Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Wausau gardens name changed back to Monk Botanical Gardens