Fellows Riverside Gardens | Youngstown

Here is a detailed description of Fellows Riverside Gardens:

Fellows Riverside Gardens is a beautiful 12-acre public botanical garden located in Youngstown, Ohio. It is part of the Mill Creek MetroParks system and is situated at 123 McKinley Avenue. The gardens are open daily from dawn to dusk with free admission throughout the year, making it a beloved natural destination for both locals and visitors.

History and Development

The gardens were created thanks to a generous bequest by Elizabeth A. Fellows in 1958. She left the land and funds to Mill Creek MetroParks with the purpose of establishing a public garden. Landscape architect John L. Paolano was commissioned to design the gardens, thoughtfully integrating the area's natural rolling terrain and two scenic overlooks.

Planting began in 1963, and over the decades, Fellows Riverside Gardens has grown into a regional treasure known for its horticultural beauty, design, and community programs.

Garden Features and Plant Collections

Fellows Riverside Gardens boasts an extensive and diverse collection of plants and themed garden areas, including:

Spring Bulbs: Over 40,000 bulbs bloom each spring, including crocuses, tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, creating vibrant displays of color.

Rose Garden: The Joanne F. Beeghly Rose Garden is a standout feature with more than 1,300 varieties of roses, including hybrid teas, floribundas, and grandifloras. Roses bloom from June through October, offering spectacular seasonal beauty.

Seasonal Plantings: Annuals, perennials, and flowering bulbs are rotated throughout the year to maintain color and interest in the gardens during all seasons.

Specialty Gardens: These include the Herb and Fragrance Garden, Heather Garden, Dahlia Garden, and the Quarry Garden, each offering unique botanical experiences.

Tree and Shrub Collections: Notable collections include European beech trees, rhododendrons, hollies, dwarf conifers, and a diverse range of native and non-native species.

Themed Areas: The Ohio Woodland Garden showcases native plants, while other areas offer themed experiences such as sensory exploration and seasonal displays.

Observation Tower: A tower located within the gardens provides visitors with panoramic views of Lake Glacier and the surrounding landscape, adding a scenic vantage point.

Education and Visitor Center

The D.D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center serves as the heart of visitor activities. It includes:

A horticultural library offering resources for gardening and plant studies.

Classrooms and meeting spaces for workshops, lectures, and educational programming.

An art gallery hosting rotating exhibitions, often focused on nature and botanical themes.

A gift shop selling gardening books, plants, and souvenirs.

The center runs a variety of educational programs throughout the year, such as gardening classes, lectures from local and international experts, and children’s programs designed to foster a love of nature and gardening.

Events and Community Engagement

Fellows Riverside Gardens hosts many popular seasonal events, including:

Pumpkin Walk at Twilight: A festive fall event featuring illuminated pumpkins and family-friendly activities.

Winter Nights: A luminary display that decorates the gardens with thousands of lights during the holiday season.

Seasonal Flower Shows: Exhibits highlighting different plants and gardening themes.

Art Exhibitions: Regular shows in the visitor center gallery focusing on botanical art and photography.

These events attract visitors from across the region and promote community involvement with nature and the arts.

Weddings and Rentals

The gardens are a sought-after location for weddings, receptions, and other special events. Rental options include:

The Victorian-style Gazebo, surrounded by vibrant flowers and greenery, perfect for outdoor ceremonies.

The Kidston Pavilion, offering a charming setting nestled within the gardens.

The Daniel L. Rossi Auditorium, an indoor venue with floor-to-ceiling windows that provide stunning garden views, suitable for receptions and meetings.

The gardens provide full event support including catering options and coordination to make weddings and gatherings memorable.

Children's Garden Redevelopment

A major redevelopment project is underway to enhance the Children's Garden, the largest investment at Fellows Riverside Gardens in over 20 years. This $3 million initiative includes:

Construction of a new education building dedicated to children’s programming.

Creation of five themed garden areas: Harvest Garden, Forest Garden, Streams Garden, Hummock and Lawn Garden, and Sensory Garden.

Interactive, hands-on experiences designed to teach children about ecosystems, plants, wildlife, and environmental stewardship.

The project aims to engage younger generations with nature through immersive and educational outdoor environments.

Visitor Information

Hours: Gardens are open daily from dawn to dusk.

Visitor Center: Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closed Mondays.

Admission: Free for garden access; some events or rentals may have fees.

Café: The Garden Café by Kravitz operates Tuesday through Sunday, serving lunch with seasonal menus.

Recognition and Impact

Fellows Riverside Gardens is widely recognized as one of the premier botanical gardens in Ohio and the United States. It attracts over 400,000 visitors annually, who come to enjoy its horticultural displays, educational offerings, and peaceful natural setting.

It ranks highly in national botanical garden ratings, noted especially for the beauty of its landscape design and the quality of its collections.

Fellows Riverside Gardens combines horticultural excellence, education, community engagement, and natural beauty, making it a treasured asset to Youngstown and a destination for plant lovers, families, and visitors of all ages.