The purpose of a Master Plan is to provide a vital roadmap to guide the future development of the Delaware Botanic Gardens so that it will become one of the premier public gardens in the mid-Atlantic region. In order to accomplish this task, the Master Plan must respond to the character and opportunities inherent in the landscape, articulate a vision for the future gardens that teach and inspire visitors, set a standard for excellence in horticulture, create opportunities to reach a large audience, provide for gracious visitor services, recognize opportunities to partner with other cultural institutions, and lay out an organized sustainable plan for growth. The Master Plan is less a design and more a tool for guiding the ongoing design process. The Plan will organize the site, identify the various kinds of gardens and plant collections, establish the general character of the major garden elements, and define the palette of materials to be incorporated into subsequently more detailed designs.