Dave Simpson (Photo courtesy of the City of Kennesaw)

Dave Simpson has been appointed as the Executive Director of Smith-Gilbert Gardens in the City of Kennesaw. 

He previously worked at Trees Atlanta where he oversaw tree planting and care in various cities across metro Atlanta. 

Simpson has also worked for other public gardens in the Southeast and holds a Master’s degree in Plant & Environmental Sciences from Clemson University where his studies focused on landscape design and horticulture.

Simpson is an ISA Certified Arborist.

“I am excited to have been selected as the Executive Director of Smith-Gilbert Gardens,” said Simpson. “I look forward to guiding the growth of the Gardens as a vital cultural resource and premier destination for communities across the region.”

About Smith Gilbert Gardens

Smith Gilbert Gardens in Kennesaw is on the site of the Hiram Butler home, built about 1880.

According to the gardens’ mission page:

In 1970, Mr. Richard Smith and Dr. Robert Gilbert bought the Hiram Butler House and surrounding acreage in Kennesaw, Georgia. Over the following 35 years, they realized their dream of developing the house and grounds, with an emphasis on unique plantings and thoughtfully positioned sculpture.

The 17-acre complex of specialized gardens is now a City of Kennesaw botanical garden.

Gardens include a Bonsai Exhibit, Palladino Camellia Garden, tea house and waterfall area, Rose Garden, and Conifer Display.  

The Smith Gilbert Gardens  are also designated a wildlife habitat by the Atlanta Audubon Society. 

For more information visit the Smith Gilbert Gardens website.

About the City of Kennesaw

The City of Kennesaw was incorporated in 1887. With a population of 33,036 according to the recent decennial census, Kennesaw is the fourth-largest city in Cobb County, behind Mableton, Marietta and Smyrna. The US Census Bureau provides the following quick facts about the city:

Population Estimates, July 1 2022, (V2022)	NA
Population Estimates, July 1 2021, (V2021)	33,049

Population
Population Estimates, July 1 2022, (V2022)	NA
Population Estimates, July 1 2021, (V2021)	33,049
Population estimates base, April 1, 2020, (V2022)	NA
Population estimates base, April 1, 2020, (V2021)	33,001
Population, percent change – April 1, 2020 (estimates base) to July 1, 2022, (V2022)	NA
Population, percent change – April 1, 2020 (estimates base) to July 1, 2021, (V2021)	0.1%
Population, Census, April 1, 2020	33,036
Population, Census, April 1, 2010	29,783
Age and Sex
Persons under 5 years, percent	6.0%
Persons under 18 years, percent	22.3%
Persons 65 years and over, percent	11.8%
Female persons, percent	52.3%
Race and Hispanic Origin
White alone, percent	64.0%
Black or African American alone, percent(a)	20.5%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, percent(a)	0.0%
Asian alone, percent(a)	5.7%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, percent(a)	0.0%
Two or More Races, percent	6.7%
Hispanic or Latino, percent(b)	14.9%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, percent	55.7%
Population Characteristics
Veterans, 2017-2021	2,071
Foreign born persons, percent, 2017-2021	14.9%
Housing
Housing units, July 1, 2021, (V2021)	X
Owner-occupied housing unit rate, 2017-2021	68.8%
Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2017-2021	$225,500
Median selected monthly owner costs -with a mortgage, 2017-2021	$1,600
Median selected monthly owner costs -without a mortgage, 2017-2021	$434
Median gross rent, 2017-2021	$1,470
Building permits, 2021	X
Families & Living Arrangements
Households, 2017-2021	12,799
Persons per household, 2017-2021	2.57
Living in same house 1 year ago, percent of persons age 1 year+, 2017-2021	82.9%
Language other than English spoken at home, percent of persons age 5 years+, 2017-2021	21.8%
Computer and Internet Use
Households with a computer, percent, 2017-2021	97.1%
Households with a broadband Internet subscription, percent, 2017-2021	95.8%
Education
High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2017-2021	93.5%
Bachelor’s degree or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2017-2021	44.7%
Health
With a disability, under age 65 years, percent, 2017-2021	5.9%
Persons without health insurance, under age 65 years, percent	14.2%
Economy
In civilian labor force, total, percent of population age 16 years+, 2017-2021	70.6%
In civilian labor force, female, percent of population age 16 years+, 2017-2021	67.4%
Total accommodation and food services sales, 2017 ($1,000)(c)	188,701
Total health care and social assistance receipts/revenue, 2017 ($1,000)(c)	142,150
Total transportation and warehousing receipts/revenue, 2017 ($1,000)(c)	99,548
Total retail sales, 2017 ($1,000)(c)	1,186,810
Total retail sales per capita, 2017(c)	$34,676
Transportation
Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16 years+, 2017-2021	31.5
Income & Poverty
Median household income (in 2021 dollars), 2017-2021	$73,977
Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2021 dollars), 2017-2021	$37,608
Persons in poverty, percent	13.5%

Businesses
Total employer establishments, 2020	X
Total employment, 2020	X
Total annual payroll, 2020 ($1,000)	X
Total employment, percent change, 2019-2020	X
Total nonemployer establishments, 2019	X
All employer firms, Reference year 2017	1,282
Men-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017	665
Women-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017	296
Minority-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017	S
Nonminority-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017	757
Veteran-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017	54
Nonveteran-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017	972

Geography
Population per square mile, 2020	3,400.2
Population per square mile, 2010	3,155.1
Land area in square miles, 2020	9.72
Land area in square miles, 2010	9.44
FIPS Code	1343192