Less than a year after the expansion plans of Reiman Gardens were released and the possibility of a fee was discussed, garden organizers have come to a fair conclusion.

They have decided to charge a small fee, ranging from $1 to $3, and ISU students will not be charged.

This is the fair and logical thing to do.

Plus, it is what the public thinks is fair.

Last year, when the decision was made to add features to Reiman Gardens to make it a major tourist attraction in central Iowa, the possibility of charging a visitor fee was introduced.

The original plan included charging all visitors, even ISU students.

When this was first reported in April, letters to the editor poured in from students.

Students are paying to attend Iowa State University and because Reiman Gardens is on ISU property, it’s not an option that they should have to pay. Students don’t have to pay to visit Farmhouse Museum or Brunnier Art Museum at the Scheman Building.

Why should students have to pay to smell the roses and enjoy the natural beauty of the gardens across the parking lot from Jack Trice Stadium?

But beginning April 12, adults will be charged $3 per person, and $2.50 will be charged to those over 65. Children 6 to 18 years will be charged $1, and children under 6 and ISU students will be allowed in free.

There will also be a membership program available, which will cost $35 for an individual and $50 for a household. Members will be allowed in free year-round and will receive discounts on special events such as concerts and fairs.

There have been more than 400 families who have signed up for the membership plan. Apparently the demand for the gardens is there.

Teresa McLaughlin, director of Reiman Gardens, said after reviewing hundreds of gardens across the country, organizers believed this is a reasonable fee to walk through the 14 acres of plants and flowers.

The best reason for adding the fee is to cover the cost of adding the two indoor conservatories, a caf‚, gift shop and meeting room during the time of budget cuts.

Right now, the funds to maintain the gardens come solely from donations, so without the fee, Reiman Gardens would not financially be able to operate with the additions.

And the self-generating revenue will most likely come since garden directors report 70,000 people visit the gardens each year.

These are the people walking through the flowers, listening to the waterfalls and paying for the garden.

And students can still get the full ISU experience, including visiting Reiman Gardens during their time on campus.

The university decided it wants these additions and improvements to the gardens, and the only way to ensure these happen is through a fee. This is a fair one.

editorialboard: Andrea Hauser, Tim Paluch, Michelle Kann, Charlie Weaver, Omar Tesdell