ELKHART — The city and Wellfield Botanic Gardens have made a deal that will allow the gardens office space in part of the vacant utility billing office adjacent to the park, while opening the gardens to city residents four more hours a week for free.

There is no charge for the public now, but there will be come spring.

The Elkhart Board of Public Works on Tuesday approved an amendment to the lease agreement for the wellfield to include 2,400 square feet of the old, 7,300 square-foot utility billing office at 921 N. Main St. The city leases the North Main Street Wellfield to the nonprofit organization for use as a botanic garden.

Wellfield Botanic Gardens Inc. will pay natural gas utilities for the entire building, while the city will continue to pay electric costs, said Maggie Jones, utility attorney. The utility billing office moved to a new expansion at the Public Works and Utilities Office on Nappanee Street last spring.

The city also will continue to plow the parking lot at the site, but the gardens will shovel walkways and steps, Jones said.

She explained that the agreement also includes free access to the gardens for Elkhart residents on two additional days. Jones said other benefits include the shared utility costs and that the building won’t be vacant any longer.

Eric Amt, executive director of the Wellfield Botanic Gardens, said the original agreement included eight hours a week, which is broken up into two-hour segments, from 7 to 9 a.m. Monday through Thursday. The gardens decided to open up at the same time on Fridays as well. With the new agreement, Friday and Saturday will be formally included for a total of 12 hours per week.

Mike Machlan, engineering service manager and president of the board of works, expressed disappointment in the hours open free to Elkhart residents. He said the intent of the board when signing the original agreement in 2005 was to have a whole day for city residents to enjoy the garden with their families, not 7 to 9 in the morning.

Amt said the gardens board would look at the hours, but asked that the board of works give them a season of charging for admission to see how things go.

Likely sometime in May, admission will be $5 per adult per day. However, annual memberships also will be available for $35 per person, which also includes admission to 270 other gardens which have reciprocal agreements as part of the American Botanical Society. There also will be family, grandparent and dog memberships as well, Amt said.

Amt pointed out that Ruthmere Museum and other local attractions often have free days underwritten by a sponsor.

“Of course, Eric, this was all underwritten by the people of Elkhart,” Machlan said.

He noted, however, that he continues to hear positive things about the gardens.

Amt said the organization has $3.3 million invested in the gardens so far — about 25 percent of the overall plan. “It’s a big commitment,” he said.

Two more gardens and a temporary visitor’s center will be constructed this year.

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