Mead Botanical Garden served as the backdrop for many of Ashley Fraebel’s major milestones, including her maternity photos and her children’s first steps. Her family still enjoys the quiet rhythm of the wetlands, stands of pine trees, hammocks of oak trees and, of course, gurgling Howell Creek.
The native Winter Parker has “just always loved nature and the outdoors from really a very young age,” which earned her the nickname “Heidi”—like the Alps-dwelling literary and movie character.
A proclivity for leadership emerged early as well. In elementary school, she won a civic-club service award. In high school, she got involved in student government. She later led her sorority while studying event planning at the University of Florida.
“All these opportunities helped pave the way to life in leadership and giving back,” says Fraebel, who served as an event and marketing representative at regional offices of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Atlanta and Tampa.
Fraebel was named senior director of events and sponsorships at the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce in 2012. During her stint, she became one of the youngest board members at the garden, which opened in 1940. She recalls: “I always loved it here. Mead Garden was my happy place.”
Fraebel was hired last year as executive director of the private nonprofit that manages the city-owned urban oasis. “It’s been a true homecoming,” says Fraebel, who begins each day with a stroll through the verdant grounds.
The garden draws more than 300,000 visitors and hosts upward of 180 community programs a year, including kids’ camps, wellness activities, birdwatching excursions, a speaker series and several fundraisers.
Now the popular natural habitat is preparing for a five-phase capital campaign to create a native garden, an edible landscape, a celebration garden, a tropical promenade and camellia bosquet, and a greenhouse.
Meanwhile, Fraebel and her team of four full-time and two part-time employees are working to expand children’s programming and community partnerships. She says: “We’re stewards to keep the garden protected and thriving for the community so that people have an opportunity to connect with nature and themselves.”
Mead Botanical Garden is located at 1300 Denning Drive, Winter Park. For more information, visit meadgarden.org or call 407.622.6323.
