Charley
Creek Gardens
Kelly Smith
May 14th 2009
For our May meeting we assembled at the Town gardens for our 6:30pm departure to the heart of Wabash to visit Charley Creek Gardens located on Charley Creek, a waterway that meanders all through the town of Wabash. Although the gardens essentially began as one person's backyard, a foundation was formed and many neighboring houses were purchased as they became available to create an education center, a greenhouse, a cottage, and other buildings that can house overnight guests, and provide much-needed parking. "Charley Creek Gardens is a non-profit horticultural center dedicated to the study, conservation, and appreciation of plants, both native and foreign, through garden displays, education and research."1 A popular destination of elementary school field trips, the complex is open 365 days a year from dawn to dusk for informal, self-tours. Guided tours (like ours) can be arranged, as can golf carts. Kelly is amazed at how the organization has evolved over the years providing services she hadn't considered, and sees wedding receptions, and more displays from local artists in the near future.
Following the excellent
tour we had a brief meeting where members ordered new shirts. Everyone ate too many
of Rhonda's brownies and Rice Krispy Treats
Congregating at the Town Gardens before departing for Charley Creek
More congregating at the Town Gardens.
Education Center and Greenhouse
The "Amazing" maze is actually referred to as a labyrinth in the literature.
The "waterless" waterfall hadn't been turned on yet.
Deciduous Azaleas - 'Gibralter'
The maze contains around 800 Arborvitae with local sculptures at the dead-ends. The paths can be altered via gates.
The Ford house in the background.