James Boussy, co-owner with partner James Glucksman of Pen-y-bryn Lodge, in Oamaru, is pushing for the creation of a friends of the Oamaru Public Gardens group.
Mr Boussy said an incorporated society would be formed and a board of directors created at an organisational meeting at Pen-y-bryn Lodge on Tuesday.
On March 9, Mr Boussy toured the gardens on a Waitaki Tourism Association familiarisation tour.
The idea of a friends of the Oamaru Public Gardens group was first mooted there.
"I've cut through the gardens before, but that was the first time I have stopped to look around,'' he said.
Guests at the lodge had commented favourably on the gardens, too.
Mr Boussy said while bands in a soundshell-type building in the gardens could "potentially draw some revenue'' for the gardens, those who had expressed interest in the group had suggested various possibilities.
Tours could be offered; the gardens could play host to a cherry blossom festival or hanami; seed, or plant, sales had potential as fundraisers.
Mr Glucksman said the gardens, established in 1876, could benefit from increased traffic as the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail cuts through a portion of the 13ha gardens.
"Especially as the Alps 2 Ocean passes right through, if you had some sort of concession that sold soft drinks and ice creams, that might generate some income,'' Mr Glucksman said.
Mr Boussy declined to go into detail about potential plans before the formation of the group, but he said the group would not only work on improving the gardens but would help market the gardens as well.
Waitaki District Council's recreation manager Erik van der Spek welcomed the formation of a friends group.
He announced a new design for the gardens as part of "reinvigorating the beds'' at the beginning of March.
The layout would be altered.
The large circular garden near the entrance would be replaced with a shape representing the gardens' logo.
Work also began this month to determine whether Craig Fountain could be restored.
