Rooted In Place: Building Legacy Through Sustainable Partnership

For Chris Hawkins, supporting Powell Gardens is about more than sponsorship. It is about investing in the place that shaped him. 

As founder of Hawkins Design Build, a lifelong resident of Eastern Jackson County, and now a member of the Powell Gardens Board of Directors, Chris sees a connection between his work and the mission of Powell Gardens. Both begin with a simple belief: place matters. 

“Great design starts with the land,” Chris says. “When we are designing a home, we spend a tremendous amount of time thinking about the site, the views, the topography, the trees, and how the home fits into its surroundings.” 

That philosophy closely mirrors Powell Gardens’ commitment to the Midwest Spirit of Place. Through gardens, conservation, education, and community engagement, Powell Gardens helps visitors develop a deeper appreciation for the landscapes that define our region and the responsibility we share to steward them. 

For Chris, that connection is deeply personal. 

Having visited Powell Gardens since childhood, his relationship with the Gardens has evolved alongside his own life. What began with school field trips and memorable experiences has grown into something much deeper: an enduring connection to the landscape and communities of Eastern Jackson County. 

That connection became even more meaningful when Chris and his family moved to Bates City. 

“When I moved to Bates City, one of the things I was genuinely excited about was being closer to Powell Gardens,” he says. “It has become part of our lives in a way that goes beyond simply being a place to visit. It is somewhere we enjoy regularly and somewhere that continually reminds us why we love living in this part of the region.” 

For Chris, Powell Gardens represents more than a destination. It serves as a reminder of what makes this corner of Missouri special in the first place. 

“As our area continues to grow, Powell Gardens serves as a reminder of what makes this part of Missouri special in the first place,” he says. “It gives people an opportunity to slow down, experience the landscape, and connect with something bigger than their day-to-day routines.” 

That ability to connect people to the land, to one another, and to the unique character of the Midwest lies at the heart of Powell Gardens’ mission. It is also what inspired Chris to deepen his involvement with the organization. 

Since first becoming involved with Powell Gardens in 2024, Chris and Hawkins Design Build have continued to expand their commitment to the Gardens and its future. Today, that partnership includes Hawkins Design Build‘s role as Presenting Sponsor of Dragons and Fantastic Beasts, Powell Gardens’ 2026 summer exhibition, as well as Chris’s service on the Board of Directors. 

That commitment extends beyond financial support. Earlier this year, Hawkins Design Build partnered with Nell Hill’s to help bring Fleur-ette 2026 to life inside Union Station’s historic Grand Hall. Through the design and construction of the event’s dramatic stage installation and immersive event environment, the partnership transformed one of Kansas City’s most iconic spaces into a celebration of nature, design, and community. 

These efforts reflect a shared understanding that meaningful places do not happen by accident. They are cultivated through vision, stewardship, and long-term investment. 

“Powell Gardens celebrates that same idea,” Chris says. “It helps people appreciate the land and understand that where something exists matters. In a world where so much can feel interchangeable, both organizations are encouraging people to develop a deeper appreciation for place and to be good stewards of it.” 

Looking ahead, Chris sees tremendous opportunity for Powell Gardens to expand its impact across the region. 

Among the initiatives he is most excited about is Colonial Farms, Powell Gardens’ newest campus and a major step forward in bringing horticulture, agriculture, education, and community engagement to more people throughout Eastern Jackson County and beyond. 

“I think the addition of Colonial Farms will have a far greater impact than we may realize right now,” he says. “I am excited that it brings Powell Gardens a little closer to more people, but also that it helps expand the broader initiative to love plants, understand the land, and connect with nature in everyday life.” 

He is equally encouraged by the continued growth of Powell Gardens’ educational mission. 

“Whether it is teaching children about gardening, helping families connect with nature, or simply creating opportunities for people to spend time outdoors, those experiences have a lasting impact,” he says. “The more people understand and appreciate the natural world around them, the more likely they are to care for it.” 

Since joining the Board of Directors, Chris has been inspired by the passion and vision of the people leading the organization. Though Powell Gardens has become one of the Kansas City region’s defining cultural and environmental institutions, Chris believes its greatest impact is still ahead. 

One quote continues to guide his thinking: “Society grows great when people plant trees whose shade they will never sit in.” 

For Chris, that sentiment captures the spirit of Powell Gardens. 

“Places like Powell Gardens do not exist by accident,” Chris says. “They exist because people and organizations choose to invest in them.” 

That investment can take many forms: philanthropy, volunteerism, advocacy, corporate partnership, or simply becoming part of a community committed to preserving and celebrating the landscapes that make this region unique. 

As Powell Gardens continues to grow across both its Kingsville and Blue Springs locations, opportunities for involvement continue to grow alongside it. Together, supporters, partners, volunteers, and visitors are helping ensure that future generations inherit a region that remains connected to the land, inspired by its beauty, and deeply rooted in place.