Clark Gardens

What Clark Gardens does

Clark Gardens, legally the Max and Billie Clark Foundation, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit botanical garden founded in 1972 and located on a 35–50 acre site at 567 Maddux Road in Weatherford, Texas, approximately 45 minutes from Fort Worth. The organization operates a seasonally open destination attraction (Spring: March 6 – July 5; Fall: September 4 – November 29) featuring extensive horticultural collections — close to 4,000 named iris varieties, more than 600 daylily varieties, over 120 canna varieties, multiple rose collections, an 86-specimen Historic Tree Trail, G-scale model trains on roughly 700 feet of track, a meditation labyrinth installed in 2022, and a Pollinator Sculpture Trail launched in 2026 — together with nine event venues, two vacation rental homes, and structured educational programming for local schools.

The business model is hybrid and multi-stream: roughly one-third of operating revenue is earned through admissions (≈$10 adult / $8 senior / $5 child), a three-tier membership program ($40/$60/$100) with reciprocal access to 200+ gardens via the American Horticultural Society, venue rentals (weddings, receptions, corporate retreats, proms, school programs), photography passes, vacation rentals through Airbnb, flower-arranging classes, and ancillary on-site purchases (cutting-garden stems, adventure backpacks, Bee Train rides, gift shop). The remaining two-thirds of operating revenue is contributed through individual donors, foundation grants (notably the Brazos Foundation), corporate event sponsors (Chicken Express, Crazy Water, First National Bank Texas, Birdwell and Clark Ranch), membership dues, and tribute/memorial giving — with no government funding from county, city, or state.

Customer segments are deliberately diversified: general public visitors (nature tourism and seasonal events), public-school groups from Palo Pinto and Parker Counties (free Pollinator Power and Texas Arbor Day programs), wedding and event clients (individual consumers and corporate groups), annual members, and Airbnb overnight guests. Marketing relies on organic content, social media (Facebook, Instagram, X, Pinterest, YouTube), an email newsletter, recurring annual events (Grow at Clark Gardens, Model Train Show, Pumpkin Patch, Día de los Muertos), and earned media including an HGTV 'Great American Gardens' feature and recognition as the Official Best Public Garden in Texas in 2014.

Name

Clark Gardens

Legal name

Max and Billie Clark Foundation

Website

https://clarkgardens.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Clark Gardens is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit botanical garden in Weatherford, Texas operating a seasonal 35–50 acre destination with horticultural collections, nine event venues, vacation rentals, and educational programs serving general visitors, schools, weddings, corporate clients, and members.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Garden and Event Venue Services

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Parks, Gardens & Botanical Attractions (THAJACAH)

Keywords

• Botanical garden visits
• Event venue rentals
• Wedding venue services
• School field trips
• Vacation home rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Weatherford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Admissions: General admission fees for visitors. Spring and Fall seasons with standard admission rates of $10/adult, $8/senior, $5/child.
2. Memberships: Annual membership program with three tiers: Single ($40/year), Dual ($60/year), Family ($100/year). Members receive free unlimited admission, exclusive events, discounts, and reciprocal admissions to 200+ other gardens.
3. Event Venue Rentals: Nine diverse event venues for weddings, receptions, corporate events, parties, proms, and meetings. Venues include Channel Garden, East Tent (6,000 sq ft), Bowling Green, Chapel, Chapel Lawn, Lake Pavilion, Oxbow Overlook, indoor venues.
4. Photography Sessions: Commercial photography sessions at $100 for single session or $250 for annual pass with unlimited usage. Dressing room rental available.
5. Vacation Home Rentals: Two vacation homes rented through Airbnb: The Retreat (accommodates 10) and The Cottage (accommodates 6).
6. Donations and Grants: Privately funded garden relying on donors, members, grants, and earned income. Earned income makes up approximately 1/3 of revenue needed; donors provide the remaining 2/3. Major donor programs include annual giving, planned giving, education fund, and tributes.
7. Corporate Retreats: All-inclusive corporate retreat packages with breakfast, lunch, meeting space, team-building activities, and accommodations.
8. Classes and Workshops: Flower arranging classes at $60 per person, various educational workshops during Grow at Clark Gardens event.
9. Gift Shop and Merchandise: On-site gift shop with garden décor, gifts, seasonal items. Members receive 10% discount.
10. Cutting Garden: Spring Cutting Garden with tulips and irises for visitors to cut and purchase at $3/stem or $10/bundle.
11. Adventure Backpacks: Short-term rental of adventure backpacks with scavenger hunts, binoculars, magnifying glasses for $5.
12. Bee Train Rides: Trackless train rides designed like a honeybee for $5 per person during Grow event.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Clark Gardens operates a seasonal 35-50 acre botanical garden in Weatherford, Texas featuring nationally recognized horticultural collections (irises, daylilies, roses, historic trees). The organization sells general admission to the gardens, rents nine event venues for weddings and corporate events, offers two on-site vacation homes, runs educational field trip programs for local schools, and hosts seasonal events including Grow at Clark Gardens, Model Train Show, Pumpkin Patch, and Día de los Muertos.

Product overview

Clark Gardens is a 35-acre botanical garden and event venue in Weatherford, Texas offering a diverse portfolio of visitor experiences and rental services. The core offering is the botanical park itself, open seasonally for general admission visitors. The organization operates multiple interconnected service lines: event facilities (nine venues accommodating weddings, receptions, corporate events, and celebrations for 10-300+ guests), vacation rentals (The Retreat and The Cottage providing accommodations adjacent to the gardens), educational programming (school field trips including Pollinator Power for 1st graders and Texas Arbor Day for 4th graders, plus public workshops like flower arranging), and seasonal events (Grow at Clark Gardens March festival, Model Train Show, Pumpkin Patch, Día de los Muertos). Additional offerings include the Historic Tree Trail with 86 historic specimens, G-scale model trains, Spring Cutting Garden for cut-your-own flowers, and membership program with reciprocal admissions to 200+ public gardens. Revenue streams include admissions, event rentals, memberships, vacation stays, and charitable donations supporting the 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Clark Gardens Botanical Park Seasonal botanical garden open Spring (March 6 - July 5) and Fall (September 4 - November 29), featuring wheelchair-accessible pathways, waterfalls, lakes, swan ponds, bird and butterfly habitats, and horticultural displays including roses, irises, daylilies, and native Texas plants. Open to general public visitors with admission fees of $10/adult, $8/senior, $5/child.
• Event Facilities (Outdoor and Indoor Venues) Nine event venues for weddings, receptions, corporate events, parties, proms, and meetings, including the 6,000 sq ft East Tent (capacity 300), Channel Garden, Bowling Green (5,000 sq ft, capacity 300), sandstone Chapel (capacity 100), Chapel Lawn, Lake Pavilion, Oxbow Overlook, and indoor venues.
• Indoor Venues Four air-conditioned indoor venues: The Retreat (4,000 sq ft, sleeps 10, capacity 50-75 indoor/150-200 combined), History House (board meetings, luncheons), Bridal Suite (luncheons, small dinners, showers for 10-20), and The Cottage (1,600 sq ft, 3 bedrooms, sleeps 6).
• Vacation Rentals Two vacation homes on the garden property: The Retreat (3 bedrooms, 2 baths, pool, hot tub, sleeps 10, 4,000 sq ft) and The Cottage (3 bedrooms, 2 baths, sleeps 6, 1,600 sq ft), both within walking distance of the gardens with complimentary garden admission for guests, rented via Airbnb.
• Annual Membership Program Annual membership tiers: Single ($40/year), Dual ($60/year), and Family ($100/year). Benefits include free unlimited year-round admission, exclusive member events, 10% gift shop discount, free admission to 200+ other public gardens via American Horticultural Society reciprocal program, and guest passes.
• Pollinator Power Field Trip Educational field trip program for 1st graders teaching pollination through multiple learning stations. Available April 21-23, 2026, accommodating 7 classes daily (max 22 students each). Free for Palo Pinto and Parker County public schools.
• Texas Arbor Day Curriculum Historic Tree Trail and Arbor Day field trip combining science and Texas history for 4th graders. Maximum 6 classes daily with 22 students each. Curriculum covers tree diversity and environmental importance.
• Grow at Clark Gardens Festival Month-long March festival featuring nature-based activities including wellness events, art exhibits, horticulture workshops, backyard farming classes, Grow Wild Activity Stations, Explorer Quests, Bee Train rides, and educational programming.
• Model Train Show Annual model train exhibition featuring family activities, face painting, trackless train rides, food vendors, bounce house, car show, and petting zoo.
• Pumpkin Patch Annual fall event featuring seasonal activities and festivities for visitors during October.
• Día de los Muertos Celebration Annual cultural celebration event honoring Día de los Muertos traditions held each November.
• Photography Services Commercial photography sessions available with advance scheduling. Single session fee: $100. Annual Photography Pass: $250 for unlimited garden usage for one year. Professional photographers must schedule during business hours (Mon-Sat 8am-5pm); non-business hours available at additional $200/hour. Dressing room rental available.
• Corporate Retreats All-inclusive corporate retreat packages including breakfast, lunch, meeting space (sandstone chapel), tented facilities, tables, chairs, linens, decorations, centerpieces, and team-building activities. Sold through direct outreach and relationship building.
• Flower Arranging Class Hands-on floral arrangement class taught by Carol Elder of Famous Water. Tickets: $60 per person, preregistration required. Includes garden scouting, cocktails, snacks, and take-home arrangement.
• Gift Cards Gift cards redeemable for garden admission, guided tours, gift shop purchases, and public events.
• Spring Cutting Garden Cut-your-own flower experience featuring thousands of tulips and irises. Stem prices: $3 single stem or $10 five-stem bundle. Included with general admission.
• Garden Adventure Backpack Rental Short-term rental backpacks containing scavenger hunts, binoculars, magnifying glasses, and learning activities for hands-on garden exploration. Fee: $5; license or vehicle keys required as deposit.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200 reciprocal garden admissions for members
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• American Horticultural Society (AHS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClark Gardens participates in the AHS Reciprocal Admissions Program, allowing members free admission to over 200 other public gardens nationwide. This partnership provides significant value to members and supports the broader public garden community.
• Denver Botanic GardensminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganized the 'Dream in Bloom' photo exhibit by Fares Micue, a bilingual exhibition featuring dreamlike self-portraits integrating natural elements. The exhibit was displayed at Clark Gardens from March 1 - June 5, 2022.
• Chicken ExpressminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor for Grow at Clark Gardens 2022 event, supporting the month-long nature-based activity festival.
• Crazy WaterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor for Grow at Clark Gardens 2022 event. Provides sparkling water products for flower arranging classes and wellness events.
• The Market at 76067minorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor for Grow at Clark Gardens 2022 event, supporting community nature-based activities.
• Palo Pinto General HospitalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze sponsor for Grow at Clark Gardens 2022 event supporting health and wellness programming.
• First National Bank TexasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze sponsor for Grow at Clark Gardens 2022 event.
• Birdwell and Clark RanchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver sponsor for Grow at Clark Gardens 2022 event and contributor to horticulture education sessions on soil and gardening.
• Mineral Wells Area Chamber of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGrant recipient (Hotel Occupancy Tax Grant) providing event support and community promotion. Sponsors Grow at Clark Gardens.
• Atlas CPR TrainingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvided CPR certification training during Grow at Clark Gardens 2022 Wellness Week, teaching life-saving skills to participants.
• Circle Y Yoga RanchminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner for wellness programming, providing yoga instruction during Grow at Clark Gardens events.
• Boyce Ditto Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of Story Time in the Garden during World Wellness Weekend 2024, bringing literacy programming to the garden setting.
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension ServiceminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvided educational speakers on food preservation and home food preservation during Grow at Clark Gardens 2022 Backyard Farming Week.
• Fort Worth Songwriters AssociationminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPerformed acoustic concerts during Grow at Clark Gardens 2022 Horticulture Week.
• Mineral Wells Animal ShelterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated in Tails & Trails event during World Wellness Weekend 2024 with dogs available for adoption at the gardens.
• Longview Arboretum & Nature CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExecutive Director Steven Chamblee presented 'Texas Tough Top 50' program at Grow at Clark Gardens 2022.
• Weatherford CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with local high schools and community artists to create the Pollinator Sculpture Trail during Grow 2026.

Scale indicators22 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Houston Botanic Garden: A newer Texas public botanical garden with comparable mix of curated plant collections, educational programming, and event venue offerings. Closely mirrors Clark Gardens' nonprofit attraction business model.
• Longview Arboretum & Nature Center: A smaller Texas arboretum and nature center whose Executive Director Steven Chamblee has presented at Clark Gardens' Grow event. Comparable nonprofit botanical attraction with event programming and educational mission.
• Fort Worth Botanic Garden: The nearest major botanical garden, located in Fort Worth, Texas, ~45 minutes from Clark Gardens. Operates a public garden with similar horticultural focus, event venue rentals, and educational programming, serving the same North Texas catchment and competing for the same visitor and wedding market.
• Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden: The largest botanical garden in North Texas, operating 66 acres of gardens with extensive seasonal events, weddings, and educational programs. The most direct competitive comparable for Clark Gardens in scale, business model, and target market, despite serving a denser urban catchment.
• San Antonio Botanical Garden: A 38-acre Texas botanical garden operating as a public attraction with events, educational programs, and venue rentals. Comparable to Clark Gardens in mission, seasonal event programming, and nonprofit operating model.
• Zilker Botanical Garden: A 30-acre botanical garden in Austin, Texas with multiple themed gardens, event venue rentals, and educational programming. Comparable to Clark Gardens in scale, multi-garden structure, and Austin-area wedding/event market.
• Mercer Botanic Gardens: A 400-acre public garden in Humble, Texas (Houston area) operated by a nonprofit/public partnership. Comparable in offering free/sponsored educational programs and broad public garden experiences, though at much larger scale.
• Japanese Garden (Fort Worth): A 7.5-acre themed garden within the Fort Worth Botanic Garden complex. Compares to Clark Gardens' themed gardens (Channel Garden, Historic Tree Trail) in offering curated, distinct garden experiences and event rentals in the North Texas region.

Regional players

• Tyler Municipal Rose Garden: A regional public rose garden in East Texas. Operates as a free municipal botanical attraction serving a different geography than Clark Gardens but with comparable horticultural focus on specialty plant collections.

Broad incumbents

• Denver Botanic Gardens: A 24-acre major U.S. botanical garden that partnered with Clark Gardens for the 'Dream in Bloom' exhibit. Operates at a much larger scale but shares comparable horticultural focus, event programming, and nonprofit cultural-attraction business model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/clarkgardens
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ClarkGardens
• Facebookfacebook.com/clarkgardens
• Instagraminstagram.com/clarkgardens
• Pinterestpinterest.com/clarkgardens
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/clark-gardens

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Clark Gardens