A Campaign for Hoyt Arboretum’s Next Century

Hoyt Arboretum is poised for transformation. Visitors have always found peace and connection to nature on the Arboretum’s trails and among our global tree collection. The number of park visitors was growing before 2020 and the pandemic accelerated that growth with many new users. Working in partnership with Portland Parks & Recreation, Hoyt Arboretum Friends will meet this moment by improving our facilities to sustainable serve even more visitors across the nearly 200 acres we steward.

To help chart our course for the future, we gathered input from teachers, members, neighbors, donors, volunteers, regular park visitors and partner organizations. These valuable conversations inspired our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan. This project plays a key role in stewarding this beloved greenspace while introducing the park to more people who will benefit from time spent in nature.

Create a signature facility and grow our capacity to steward the Arboretum

We envision a new Visitor Center that is a physical manifestation of our commitment to sustainability, climate resilience, education, equity, and inclusion. This signature facility will welcome a growing number of students, including greater racial and cultural diversity. The center will include space for classes, research activities, an expanded plant nursery, the herbarium, offices for our growing staff, and outdoor covered gathering spaces dispersed around the park.

To bring this new facility to fruition, we are undertaking a capital campaign in cooperation with key partners and donors.

Project Timeline

2023
Pre-Campaign Planning

Clarify objectives

Community engagement

Concept designs (shown below)

Cost estimating

MOU between Portland Parks & Rec
and Hoyt Arboretum Friends

Engage leadership

Select consulting team

2024
Feasibility Study

Engage consulting team

Assess readiness

Interview donors

Recommend next steps

2024
Plan Campaign

Board approves campaign

Recruit campaign committee

Revise case for support

2025
Donor Cultivation

Train campaign committee

Formalize cultivation plan and
engagement opportunities

Solicit Board and Committee pledges

Pursue public support

Begin schematic design process

2026
Campaign Kick-off

70% of funds raised

Announce campaign goal

Announce progress to date

Permitting and mobilization

Press and media campaign

2027
Complete Campaign

Construction begins

Continue to solicit smaller gifts

Highlight major gifts

Donor stewardship

Concept Designs

Hoyt Arboretum Friends engaged with local firm, Henneberry Eddy Architects to create the following concepts for a future Visitor and Education Center that would meet the needs of our community.

Growing For the Future

Create a signature facility and grow our capacity to steward the Arboretum