Fellows Riverside Gardens
Fellows Riverside Gardens is a free public garden located at the northern end of Mill Creek Park. This twelve-acre display garden features a landscape of remarkable beauty with diverse and colorful plant displays, roses of all classes, seasonal displays of annuals, perennials, flowering bulbs, and scenic vistas. The magnificent D.D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center makes the Gardens a destination for all seasons. Fellows Riverside Gardens is one of Ohio’s finest public gardens and attracts over 400,000 visitors a year.
Fellows Riverside Garden is located in the city of Youngstown and is operated by Mill Creek MetroParks. Only nine miles from the Ohio Turnpike, many visitors find the Gardens a convenient and worthwhile stop while traveling. For the residents of Mahoning County, the MetroParks and Fellows Riverside Gardens are their pride and joy.
Each year over 40,000 bulbs announce the arrival of spring. Crocus, tulips, narcissus and other bulbs give forth their joyful colors in abundance. Annuals by the thousands replace the bulbs as they subside. Old favorites and new varieties are skillfully blended to produce a show that’s sure to please.
A generous variety of labeled trees and shrubs serve as the background for the many floral displays. Shade trees, flowering trees, shrubs and ground covers of all descriptions combine to create smaller gardens within a garden. Collections of European beech, rhododendrons, hollies, shade plants, herbs, dwarf conifers, perennials and others are displayed for the enjoyment and education of the visitor. Many come just to relax.
Fellows Riverside Gardens is more than a collection of plants: it is a collection of services offered to the public. Tours are available by reservation. Gardening courses and volunteer opportunities are available for those who wish to learn about the many aspects of horticulture. Special events, weddings, private parties and art exhibits bring many; others visit to peruse the fine gifts in the Shop in the Gardens, enjoy lunch in the Garden Café, or take advantage of the many library resources. Local artists and photographers come to the Gardens for compositions and inspiration as do home gardeners.
No matter what brings you to Fellows Riverside Gardens, Welcome!
Fellows Riverside Gardens is a member of the American Public Gardens Association. A professional association for public gardens in North America, supporting the public horticulture community in its mission to study, display and conserve plants.
Related Links:
• American Public Gardens Association (APGA)
• American Horticulture Society (AHS)
The Gift of a Garden
Fellows Riverside Gardens is Fellows Riverside Gardens is the culmination of Elizabeth Fellows’ dream to create a beauty spot for all to enjoy. Mrs. Fellows willed the land and money to Mill Creek MetroParks to build and maintain a free public garden. In 1958, Elizabeth died at the age of 96 in her home. Since its first planting in 1963, the Gardens has been shaped by the generosity of many people.
The design of Fellows Riverside Gardens was conceived and implemented by Landscape Architect John L. Paolano in 1962. As a foundation for the design, he maintained the existing rolling landscape and the two distinct overlooks.
Located in Fellows Riverside Gardens, this magnificent facility offers an array of services and programs to meet the needs of visitors.
The Garden Café by Kravitz continues the delicious food traditions of its proprietor’s renowned deli with a refreshing, elegant spin. Choose from homemade soups, fresh-to-order salads, light wraps, and signature sandwiches. There is even a kids menu so that the entire family can be satisfied. Be sure to join us on Sunday for a leisurely weekend breakfast before a stroll through the Gardens.
The most beautiful place for your special event, Fellows Riverside Gardens can accommodate most any rental or wedding needs.
More than just a “beauty spot,” the educational mission of the Gardens is achieved through offering numerous interesting classes, tours, and exhibits.
Resources
Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens
Through your membership in Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens, you can help the Gardens to grow and flourish as Elizabeth Fellows intended.
Fellows Riverside Gardens Map
View and download a detailed map of Fellows Riverside Gardens which includes detailed descriptions of each garden area.
What’s in Bloom?
Learn about which flowers are currently in bloom in the Gardens.
Donations & Gifts
Acknowledgements and memorials in the Gardens are ways of giving back to this beautiful place that has created so many memories for generations.
Rules and Regulations
Read Fellows Riverside Gardens’ Rules and Regulations before planning your visit.