Toledo Botanical Gardens Metropark history begins in 1964, when George Crosby donated 20 acres of his former horse farm and stable to the City of Toledo. Now it has more than 60 acres. There are two Toledo Public Schools nearby-Hawkins STEM Academy and Natural Sciences Technology Center. It is also a center for the arts and neighbor to two Toledo Public Schools – Hawkins STEM Academy and Natural Sciences Technology Center.
Location and Other Information:
Address:
5403 Elmer Drive
Toledo, Ohio 43615
Additional Parking can be found
at the Bancroft entrance:
5434 W. Bancroft
Toledo, Ohio 43615
Ranger Phone
(419) 407-9718
Park Hours
Open 7 a.m. until dark every day
Admission is free except when the park is closed for ticketed events.
OSU Extension Hotline (419) 578-6783
History
Since 1989, this site has been Toledo Botanical Garden. It was formerly known as both Crosby Gardens, and George P. Crosby Park, which honored the man who donated the original property. He is still recognized today through Crosby Lake as well as Crosby Festival of the Arts.
The restored Hill Stream corridor along Crosby Lake emphasizes native plants. In decades past, two dams had been built on Hill Stream to form Crosby Lake. Recent restoration removed the dams and redirected the stream, reduce erosion and enhance fish habitat. Plantings at the lake's edges also increase habitat for birds, butterflies and other wildlife.
George Crosby had planted the area with over 350 individual trees and hundreds of shrubs of many varieties. Opening to the public in 1968, the early years brought an initiative for environmental education, and Toledo Public Schools began purchasing land next door for a vocational and agricultural education center. This was the beginning of what today is Toledo Botanical Garden’s neighbor and partner, The Natural Science and Technology Center.
Map
There are no hiking trails, however there is plenty of area to walk and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. We enjoyed our visit to Toledo Botanical Gardens Metropark immensely.
Garden
Every visit offers a new experience as the sections change by the seasons. Native restoration initiatives compliment the garden and enhance biodiversity. Ideas for home and yard can be discovered at this Metropark.
Green thumbs come to the Garden to learn more about the varieties of annuals and perennials nestled within the various beds and look for ways to incorporate new ideas into their home landscapes.
The Toledo Botanical Gardens Metropark is inclusive. Located within is the Doneghy Inclusive Garden is an accessible, sensory experience of sights, sounds, tastes and textures.
Arts
In the early 1970’s, a small housing sub-division was purchased and became the origin of today’s Artist’s Village. There are working art studios and even galleries for potters, glass blowers, photographers and painters.
One of these houses is also the headquarters for The Ohio State University Cooperative Extension Service, Lucas County. They administer the Master Gardener and Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist programs.
Secret Forest
The Secret Forest opened in 2019. It is a wonderful area of the Toledo Botanical Gardens for children to play. Nestled in the wooded area of the Metropark it is an awesome site.
Peter Navarre Memorial Cabin
The Peter Navarre Memorial Cabin, visible near the Conference Center Parking Lot, was moved to Toledo Botanical Gardens in 1975. It is not clear whether this cabin was built by Peter, his son, or even after Navarre’s death. Before arriving at Toledo Botanical Gardens, it had been moved several times from its original location east of Toledo.
Peter Navarre (c. 1785–1874) was an early settler of the Maumee Valley.
He was the grandson of a French army officer. Navarre was born in about 1785. In 1807, with his brother Robert, he erected a cabin near the mouth of the Maumee River (east side), which continued to be his residence until his death in 1874 at 89. Besides French Canadian, he could speak the Pottawatomie (Native American people of the Great Plains, upper Mississippi River, and western Great Lakes region and are members of the Algonquian family.)
He was skillful in woodcraft and Native American methods. For several years he was employed by a Detroit house in buying furs of the Miamis near Fort Wayne, Indiana. There he made a friendship of chief Little Turtle. (He became one of the most famous Native American military leaders. He was known as a very capable leader; however he signed several treaties giving up land, which caused him to lose his leader status during the battles which became a prelude to the War of 1812.)
The War of 1812 closed the fur trade. Navarre and his three brothers—Robert, Alexis and Jaquot (James) enlisted to General William Hull. He wanted Hull to accept the services of the Miamis. The Miamis sided with the British. Before seeing active service, the Navarres were included in the surrender of Hull, and paroled. General Proctor, the British commander, offered a reward of $1000 for Navarre's head or scalp.
Sculptures
The region's largest public collection of sculptures located throughout the Garden, and the annual Crosby Festival of the Arts.
As Toledo Botanical Gardens became a hub for artistic design, sculptures were added to enhance the beauty. One of the earliest is “Old Woman and Birds,” purchased in 1973 with the help of The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo who continue to maintain it through the Art in Public Places program.
Since then, over a dozen more sculptures have been incorporated.
Toledo Botanical Garden Board, Inc.
The Metroparks partnership with the Toledo Botanical Garden Board, Inc. began in 2006, and in 2017, Toledo Botanical Gardens became a Metropark. The incredible work of volunteers, gardening groups and staff is reflected in inspired designs that offer beauty and peacefulness to those visiting this unique jewel now part of Metroparks Toledo.
Conclusion
The Toledo Botanical Gardens Metropark is really worth a visit. If you are in the Toledo Metro vicinity check it out. You will be glad you did!
If you have any questions or would like to add anything, please let us know.
