Issues Between Newly Renamed Wausau Botanic Gardens and Monk Family Continue

Wednesday, May 8th, 2024 -- 8:01 AM

(Chris Conley, WSAU and WAOW) The issues between the newly renamed Wausau Botanic Gardens and the Monk family continue.

According to Chris Conley with WSAU and WAOW, for the first time, members of the Monk family are speaking out. This comes after the gardens announced its new name, changed to Wausau Botanical Gardens, on Facebook.

Since then, there’s been pushback from both the community and family, with a petition garnering more than 6,000 signatures to change the name back. The gardens were originally donated by Robert Monk III and his family, and they said they’d like to keep the Monk name as part of their story.

Katie Monk, Robert Monk III’s granddaughter, said she hopes the board votes to do the right thing and change the name back and takes their family’s input into consideration. Board members have not commented publicly after their meeting, which was closed to the media and the public.

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