Friends of the Gardens

The Friends of the Clemens and Munsinger Gardens aims to protect one of the region's most precious assets and to secure the gardens' beauty and peace for future generations.

In 2004, a task force was created to bring together individuals from the Central Minnesota Community Foundation, the Munsinger Clemens Botanical Society, Granite Rotary, and the Clemens family. They all were interested in providing financial support for the gardens. As a result of this planning, the Friends of the Clemens and Munsinger Gardens Advisory Council was formed as a public-private collaboration with the City of St. Cloud.

The Friends have had great success in generating support for the gardens, support that ensures the gardens will be here for generations to enjoy and support that enhances the already beautiful gardens.

The Friends are currently working on plans to enhance the peacock enclosure. The dramatic plans to upgrade the Gardens' existing peacock display and surrounding facilities were designed by JLG Architects. The improvements will replace a dilapidated peacock enclosure and inefficient maintenance buildings. The project has been designed to greatly improve the existing facilities. It will optimize the experience for both the visitor and the Garden staff. Visitors will have a beautiful peacock enclosure, enchanting play area, improved river sightlines, and better overall flow between spaces. Garden staff will find greater functionality and ease of use in the maintenance space, peacock enclosure, and bathrooms. 

We thank the community for their continued support of the gardens!