(Fort Worth, TX) —  For the first time, the Fort Worth Botanic Garden will have an admission fee, starting next summer.

The City Council voted Tuesday night to proceed with a plan to charge admission to the popular attraction, which has been free to all visitors for decades.  Dozens of people spoke out against the fee during the meeting.  But the council voted to enact a charge of 12-dollars for adults, 10-dollars for seniors, and six-dollars for kids, starting next July.

The fee is intended to pay for some necessary upgrades to the park.