Garden History
It began in 1987 as a vision of a small group of local gardeners, botanists and environmentally oriented citizens to establish a botanical garden in Santa Fe. This garden has become a valuable resource to our area through educational programs and service to the community.
Santa Fe Botanical Garden at Museum Hill
In December 2006, eleven acres of land were acquired on a long-term lease from the City of Santa Fe for the development of a botanical garden at Museum Hill. Nationally recognized landscape architect W. Gary Smith was hired to create a master plan for the new garden. Following an intensive review process, the master plan was approved by the City of Santa Fe in 2011. Additional acreage was leased from the City of Santa Fe and the State of New Mexico bringing the total to 14 acres in 2013. Phase 1, the Orchard Gardens, opened in July 2013 attracting 18,000 visitors during the first six months of operations. Phase 2 of the garden, Ojos y Manos: Eyes and Hands, opened in the Fall of 2016 and explores ethnobotany through hands-on experiences and observation. The newest phase, Piñon-Juniper Woodland, is made up of 3.25 acres directly adjacent to Ojos y Manos, and opened in 2021. The Woodland features walking paths and will continue to be developed and install educational signage on why the piñon-juniper woodland is so crucial to our ecosystem. This recent lease from the State of New Mexico brings the total acres occupied by the Botanical Garden to 20.5.
Ortiz Mountains Educational Preserve
The 1,350-acre Ortiz Mountains Educational Preserve was acquired by the Santa Fe Botanical Garden in 2001. After assuming stewardship, volunteers and staff worked to make the Preserve accessible to visitors through the addition of a network of trails and a visitors’ kiosk. The County of Santa Fe purchased the land in 2007. Santa Fe Botanical Garden managed and provided programming for the Preserve until 2015, when County Open Space took over management.
Santa Fe Botanical Garden at Museum Hill
A Living Collection, a Lasting Legacy
The Santa Fe Botanical Garden at Museum Hill, designed by landscape architect W. Gary Smith, integrates the natural and the man-made, a location chosen for its natural beauty and environmental interest has been transformed by excellent garden design, horticultural practice, and architecture. Throughout the gardens native plants are mixed with appropriate non-natives, all selected to demonstrate the variety and richness that can be achieved even in this region of scarce water.
About the Botanical Garden at Museum Hill
For more than 20 years and with the critical support of its 300 active volunteers the Santa Fe Botanical Garden (SFBG) has been a part of the community providing places of reflection, wonder and education for young and old alike. Each location tells the story of unique aspects of Northern New Mexico geology, botany and cultural history. The creation of the Santa Fe Botanical Garden at Museum Hill ushers in a new era of educational opportunities and community services offered by the Botanical Garden.
Opened in July 2013, the Orchard Gardens with an orchard of fruit trees as its centerpiece is the entry point for visitors. Flanked by a meadow garden and a dry garden the orchard is surrounded by a rugged retaining wall on three sides as it nestles into the hillside.
Ojos y Manos: Eyes and Hands Garden, accessed via the 100 year old historic Kearny’s Gap Bridge, sits on the far side of Arroyo de Los Pinos. Freer in form and contemporary in spirit, these gardens integrate art and landscape architecture including an outdoor classroom. This phase is an educational experience bringing forward the plants used by our local cultures over the generations. Centered on a large ceremonial plaza, our collection showcases plants that are used for healing, food, weaving, and dyeing. Our hornos are used to teach cooking, and our outdoor classrooms house programming for children and adults.
Piñon-Juniper Woodland is a 3.25-acre property directly adjacent to Ojos y Manos. The purpose of the new phase is to preserve this pristine woodland ecosystem and share it with the public through programs and tours.
The Arroyo Trails, covering eight acres, is the largest single area of the Santa Fe Botanical Garden at Museum Hill. Demonstrating the effectiveness of the latest arroyo restoration techniques the Arroyo Trails provides a place to enjoy the natural beauty of the site and experience the increasing diversity of plants and wildlife as the arroyo heals itself over time. Hiking trails along the arroyo are open to the public between Old Pecos Trail and the Botanical Garden.
The Museum Hill Bicycle Trail provides access to Museum Hill from Old Pecos Trail, along Arroyo de los Pinos. When completed, it will connect Old Pecos Trail to Old Santa Fe Trail.
Combining beauty and sustainability, the Santa Fe Botanical Garden at Museum Hill is a place that restores the landscape, soothes the spirit, and educates by example.
