Flowers and gardens are often part of our ABC Adventures. As I researched things to do in the Gaylord area, I was more than just a little curious about the description of the Demonstration Gardens, since it had been described as having been created from a waste area. I wondered if it would be worth a visit. We had already explored the little town of Gaylord for our “G” but we had a little time available and the gardens are free, so we decided to add a little detour. We asked several locals, but no one seemed to have heard of them. Thank goodness for google maps.
We found the park at the edge of a very industrial area. Concrete and asphalt seemed to be more abundant that flowers. The small sign located at the edge of this area offered little inspiration for the beauty which lay beyond. We followed a path which passed under an arch of orange berries, inviting us into the gardens. This turned out to be a best kept secret type of adventure and I hope the locals will one day realize what a gem they have.
The three acre garden was developed to heal the land and “educate the public on the importance of native plants for preserving water quality and supporting ecosystems”. Since replanting with natives was something I have been trying to do in my own gardens, we decided it was worth a few minutes exploration.
The city began removing refuse from an old dump site in 1997. Over the years, the area was replaced with plants native to Michigan. Native plants tend to need less care. Their roots can grow up to several feet as they reach deep for water and nutrients. Some people call them weeds but seeing a native garden in a structured format we are reminded how very beautiful these plants can be. Native plants will always attract butterflies and wildlife as they work to create a full circle of life.
Visiting in the fall and toward the end of the day, we had the place to ourselves as we meandered through each of the 11 gardens. With hoses strewn across the paths instead of in-ground sprinklers, in many ways it was like visiting a neighbors garden. Unlike touring a Botanical Garden, the structure is loose but great care has actually been taken. From songbirds, to hummingbirds, to butterflies many of the gardens have been planted specifically to support a particular type of wildlife.
Other gardens such as the herb garden and the Seed to Harvest garden have been planted to support a youth education program and grow foods for the less fortunate. This area also features a home compost demonstration site geared toward educating people on how they can compost kitchen scraps and yard trimmings in their own backyard. We had arrived at the end of the harvest season, so didn’t see a lot of the food which had been grown but the tender loving care given to each garden is apparent.
Some areas such as the Children’s Garden are planted to invite you to play in a riot of colors, smells and textures meant to stimulate the senses. We embraced our youth as we hid from each other in the arborvitae maze.
We notice a stage set along a forest edge, we can only imagine the family memories waiting to made in this special place. What a great setting for a picnic.
With the sun beginning to set, our adventure comes to a close. As we head towards the car, we reflect on the beauty we had seen in the Demonstration Gardens. This had been a terrific way to end the day. The colors, patterns and variety had indeed made us pause and play.
As I hold my husbands hand I also reflect on taking time to do this activity, it would have been easy to skip it. I am filled with “gratitude” for this man. We have been married 38 years, marriage can grow very routine over time. I marvel that Alan is so willing to play the alphabet game, to continue to explore and discover together. I hope there are still many memories to make. We have both come to realize that every day can be an adventure, if we choose to make it that way.
Today we had gained a greater appreciation for what others call weeds. I guess it is all in the way you look at the world. Marriage and relationships are like gardens, they must be nurtured and tended. Some will see weeds, others will find beauty, it is all perspective.
Holding hands, we pass under the berry arch on our way back to the car. We are once again thrown into the reality of urbanization but like these gardens, I realize it is up to us to always strive to remove the toxins from our lives and replace them with beauty. We need only to plant the seeds.
The gardens may be found at:
Corner of Cross St. and Livingston Blvd. Gaylord, MI 49735 (989) 732-4021