If you’ve visited the gardens since the summer, you’ve seen the work of Garden Manager Michael Bogart, who joined the staff here in August 2021. We’re delighted to have him on board!
Michael is from the farmlands of southeastern Michigan. He grew up working in the fields and farmers’ markets, mowing lawns in the summer and shoveling and plowing snow in the winter. From this he gained an interest in horticulture and nature, along with the value of an honest day’s work.
Upon graduating high school, Michael enlisted in the US Army, serving in the 82nd Airborne. After being honorably discharged, he settled in Atlanta, Georgia, where he owned a thriving landscape design build and maintenance business while attending GSU.
The winds of change brought his future wife to him, and they moved to Cole Valley in San Francisco in 1994. Michael successfully recreated his gardening business in the Bay Area for 13 years. In 2007, he began working in landscape stewardship at the Presidio National Park. As crew lead and then supervisor, he managed the grounds crews that keep the park safe and beautiful.
Michael is a gardener at heart and in practice, and we’ve all noticed how he brings the lifelong lessons of kindness, inclusion and community to the Garden Manager position. He firmly believes that there is something in the garden for all ages, especially young people, and he is always generous with his time, helping visitors to make their own discoveries around the grounds.
