Where to Stop and Smell the Roses – The Best Public Gardens in Erie, PA
Friday Jul 8th, 2022
Come discover what’s growing on with the flowers, shrubs and trees that make up Erie’s beautiful public gardens. Gardens are a relaxing way to escape from the noise and stressors of everyday life. Their vibrant blooms, fragrances and overall beauty provide calm, quiet settings for its visitors to spend time appreciating Mother Nature. Here are the best public gardens found in the Erie region. Main photo: credit @cerlyanna
Located along Pennsylvania Historic Route 6 in Edinboro, PA, Goodell Gardens is an accredited arboretum and public garden with 78 acres of roses, native and pollinator-friendly plants, flowering shrubs and trees including an extensive collection of rhododendron. On Sundays during the summer months, visitors can take free guided garden tours, “Along the Garden Path” to learn about the many aspects of horticulture.
In addition to its 400 different species of animals, the Erie Zoo grounds are landscaped with a variety of gardens and plants, many of which provide food, shade, and shelter for the animals. The gardens contain colorful tropical plants, tulips and other perennials, trees, herbs and flowering shrubs. There are eleven gardens located throughout the Zoo including the Butterfly Garden and the Wild Asia Garden. Click here for the Zoo’s garden map.
Photo credit: @kickinitwiththe.kings via Instagram
Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park (LEAF)
Home to over 1,000 trees, the Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park (LEAF) is a tree museum featuring a diverse collection of flowering trees, evergreen trees and plants. Many of the trees in the arboretum have a plaque identifying its Latin and common name. LEAF has shaded pathways, Cascade Creek, a virtual tree gazebo, labyrinth and even a winter garden. Click here for a park map. Photo credit: @erieactivities via Instagram
Asbury Woods features 205 acres of preserved property which includes native species, old-growth forests, landscaped gardens, streams, boardwalk trails and Walnut Creek. The popular Greenway Trail is worth exploring as it consists of adjacent tracts of land and a network of trails connecting Browns Farm and Asbury Woods Nature Center.
Although not considered a public garden, Port Farms’ acres and acres of blooming sunflowers and zinnias is a definite must-stop, must-smell destination. Their annual Flower Festival takes place August 6-September 11, 2022 where guests are invited to walk through the fragrant fields or take a sweet smell of summer home with them either by the bloom or the bucket. Photo credit: @cerlyanna
