Brookings Rotary Club Hears How McCrory Gardens Serves as a Community Anchor and Beloved Holiday Tradition
BROOKINGS, S.D. — Lisa Marotz, McCrory Gardens’ Director of Operations, spoke to the Brookings Rotary Club about the gardens’ far-reaching impact on families, students, and visitors—highlighting its role as a welcoming “third space,” the importance of the McCrory Gardens Gift Shop, and the continued growth of the Garden Glow holiday tradition.
Marotz emphasized that McCrory Gardens is much more than a beautiful destination. “The importance of McCrory to the community and to families is well beyond the beauty of the gardens,” she said. “It’s a place for people of all ages to come—young families discovering nature, seniors enjoying the paths for wellness, and everyone in between.” She noted that McCrory Gardens offers a unique refuge for South Dakota State University students, who are welcomed free of charge. “It’s a place where students can just be,” Marotz said. “They don’t have to take a test or a quiz. The only question they really have to answer is their zip code—and sometimes that can be trying.”
Beyond recreation, McCrory Gardens functions as a living classroom year-round, hosting school field trips, internships across marketing, events, horticulture, and operations, and lifelong learning opportunities such as OLLI classes. Looking ahead, Marotz shared a vision for expanded educational programming, including potential Master Preserver classes and a future commercial kitchen that could help gardeners safely develop and package products while generating income.
Marotz also spoke candidly about the gardens’ emotional significance. “We hear people describe McCrory as a third space—not home, not work, but a peaceful place to gather, reflect, and sometimes even cry,” she said. “We have 25 acres where people can process life, and one of my favorite comments I’ve ever heard is, ‘Now I know what heaven looks like.’”
Turning to the McCrory Gardens Gift Shop, Marotz explained that purchases directly support staff, educational programming, and building upkeep. “The gift shop isn’t just about retail—it’s about mission support,” she said. “When someone buys a gift from McCrory, they’re really giving twice: once to themselves or a loved one, and once back to the community.”
The shop features garden-inspired gifts, books, home décor, and plants grown on campus, including amaryllis and poinsettias cultivated by SDSU’s Horticulture Club. “Every purchase helps us earn our keep and continue the work of the gardens,” Marotz added.
Marotz also highlighted McCrory Gardens’ growing role in tourism and economic development. “We sit right at the corner of campus and community,” she said. “Bringing people to McCrory brings them to Brookings—to eat in our restaurants, shop in our stores, and sometimes even stay overnight.”
A centerpiece of her remarks focused on Garden Glow, McCrory Gardens’ signature winter event, which has become a major regional draw. “How do you bring nearly 14,000 visitors to a botanical garden in South Dakota in December? You light it up,” Marotz said. Garden Glow now features more than 350,000 lights across the gardens, along with hot cocoa, themed displays, Santa visits, and interactive experiences.
She traced Garden Glow’s growth from its modest beginnings in 2015—when just 51 people attended—to nearly 14,000 visitors in recent years. “Garden Glow is now self-sustaining and our major fundraiser of the year,” Marotz said. “Sponsorships, donations, and ticket sales allow us to pay staff, invest in new lights, and plan ahead for future seasons.”
Marotz also praised sponsors who make free-admission nights possible. “Because of Santa sponsors, thousands of people can attend Garden Glow at no cost,” she said. “That’s what this is all about—making sure everyone has the chance to experience this.”
She closed by tying McCrory Gardens’ mission to Rotary values. “When I read about Rotary—service, stewardship, and legacy—I truly believe McCrory Gardens is a place where you can see those values every single day,” Marotz said. “Garden Glow, the gift shop, the gardens themselves—it’s all possible because of community support, and I thank you for that.”
Marotz’s presentation concluded with appreciation to the Brookings Rotary Club and the many volunteers, sponsors, students, and staff who help McCrory Gardens remain a cherished community resource year-round.