When Marion Beck died in 1959, the management of the garden was transferred to the foundation. It was first directed by Collins, who faced financial difficulties. He dismissed most of the 20 gardeners, removed most of the cup-gardens, planted new trees and added rocks and fountains to enforce a romantic impression. The garden opened to the public in 1960. In 1969, a bridge across the lake was built, and a fog machine was installed to create artificial rainbows. Collins achieved his vision of a landscape around the glacial lake, to make it possible that "a sense of journey is part of the experience". Collins sold a large part of the property to the Rockefeller University in 1972, which created a nature preserve.