Following a string of vandalism, theft and trespassing incidents, leaders at Olbrich Botanical Gardens will install temporary security cameras during the upcoming GLEAM outdoor art exhibition. Madison’s Board of Park Commissioners approved the request unanimously on Wednesday.
In an Aug. 8 memo to the park commissioners, Tanya Zastrow, executive director of Olbrich Botanical Society — the nonprofit fundraising arm for the gardens — cited an “increase in overnight trespassers, acts of vandalism and most recently theft in the gardens” as the reason for the request.
“Remnants from a small fire were found in the Autumn Garden, which is the second fire started during overnight hours in the past year,” Zastrow wrote. “Most recently, someone broke into all four hoop houses (where we store plants) and cut all the electrical cords from the fans.”…