After a tumultuous few years, the Wylde Center is on an even keel once again with the return of Stephanie Van Parys as its executive director.
Van Parys returned to the Decatur-based community garden last summer on an interim basis to help stabilize the garden’s finances and programs. She had retired in 2023 after 20 years as the nonprofit’s leader, but viewed her return as a “necessity.”
The results have been immediate.
“We have completely flipped our financial situation from a year ago,” Van Parys said. “We are now strong financially. Important donors and longtime friends gave significant gifts to help secure us, and we’re on target to reach our financial goals this year.”
Van Parys said shortfalls in a capital campaign during a $2 million renovation put the Wylde Center in a precarious position. There were also staff departures, and those who stayed formed a union after issues with leadership following Van Parys’ departure.
Also during that time, a number of programs were paused, and one of Van Pary’s goals upon her return was to “turn on the income taps.”
“One of our big income drivers is camp, and it was important to get that back in operation,” she said. “Our core education programs had to be restarted again.”
The Wylde Center is currently planning for its summer camps in June and July, and Van Parys said there was still plenty of availability. Details are available at wyldecenter.org.
Van Parys said individual donations increased at the end of 2025 as “donors felt more confident in what we were doing here.”
And while the renovations to the Wylde Center were costly, Van Parys said the new building at the Oakhurst garden is a “delight” to work in, and has also become a revenue driver as it is often rented for events.
She also praised the community for reengaging with the garden through multiple events, including a recent successful seed exchange.
The organization currently operates four gardens, a reduction from five after Mulberry Fields in Candler Park transitioned to being led by its own dedicated group after a 10-year partnership, Van Parys said. There’s also the Hawk Hollow garden in Kirkwood, the Edgewood Garden on Edgewood Avenue, and Sugar Creek in Decatur. Van Parys said the goal for the next year is to restore full community programming at all the garden sites.
Van Parys said she was enjoying her retirement, but returned with renewed energy and enthusiasm after feelings of burnout when she left the role.
While Van Parys doesn’t expect to serve another 20 years, she’s also not going anywhere anytime soon.
“We’re back, we’re good, and everything is moving forward,” Van Parys said.
Spring Plant Sale
The Wylde Center’s annual Spring Plant Sale is April 3-4, with a member’s only preview on April 2. There will be a variety of plants, including summer vegetable starts, herbs, perennials, annuals, native plants, and more.