I got to go with my client to see the Nicholas Conservatory this week. If I remember right a family donated one million dollars to build it. I think that was awesome but honestly I think the money could have been spent better. Since, I was with my client, who can't get around very well, I wasn't really able to check it out compared to if I had gone on my own.
From what I saw of it. It was pretty and very relaxing. It wasn't as big as I imagined because when you first walk in there is a lobby and a gift shop. They even have a cafe for people to get snacks.
I remember a few different times walking through the old conservatory and pretty sure it was free. It wasn't anything that a person might want to spend more than 15 minutes or so looking at. Honestly, I still don't think the average bear would want to spend that much time there. You can only walk around looking at the plants for so long and eventually your going to see it all. Again, I wasn't on my dime so I know I missed out on some stuff.
I wanted to write about the cost. It's six dollars to get in. I know that's not a lot but if a family of four wants to go then that's 24 just to walk through looking at plants. I know in the grand sceme of things that 24 isn't much but with so many people struggling I wonder how many families from the Rockford area can come see it.
I have to wonder what was wrong with what we had? Do we as a society always have to get bigger and better? I know Faith Center wanted to get bigger and better and fell on their ass trying to do it. Now, they are running the risk of having the whole chuch and grounds taken from them. This could also affect the building down town that helps the homeless and other programs like the tutoring programs. Let's settle for what we have people.
Back to the plants. Now, I know people drop 6 per person for lots of things so it's not totally unheard of that families could spend money on something like this. However, if people are having trouble we want the best bang for our buck. Do I want to spend 6 to see plants or would I rather sit in on a movie for two hours? I could probably come up with a better example of how I could think of better ways to spend my time and money but it's late.
I should add that they have a free day once a month. But to me stopping in to walk thru the Conservatory wasn't planned. I would be walking on the bike path and just decide to walk through it. I would admire the fish the turtles and the plants. I didn't have to plan to have cash on me or plan to go on the free day. I wouldn't have to feel like I have to stay as long as possible to get my money worth cause I didn't pay.
By the way, I pay taxes to the Rockford Park district so even though I never paid to walk in to see the plants I did pay because I own my home. Even renters are paying cause the landlords are paying taxes. I noticed that they have been offering some "classes" there and saying a fee does apply.
Last spring, we went to a gardening event that was held by the Rockford Park District and I won a earth box and everyone was given free starter flowers and veggies. A fee didn't apply and everyone poor, middle class or rich had a right to go and could go.
Now these classes that say fee applies just makes it seem like they want to attract a certain type of people. It's like they are saying your kind of people stay away from here. Not that we are poor. We are probably more lower middle class. We have money and bills paid but not a lot of cushion.
Good night. It's been a long day.
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