With more than eight acres housing as many as seven evolving gardens filled with plants of various species, the Grapevine Botanical Gardens at Heritage Park is a treasure. For those looking to enjoy the great outdoors, it can’t be beat.
“The Grapevine Botanical Gardens is special because it’s a place where patrons can go to relax, see the beautiful landscaping, take family photos and even plan their next birthday celebration,” says Amanda Rodriguez, marketing manager.
“Another unique quality of the gardens is that it is connected to Heritage Park, a basketball court and tennis courts, so anyone can enjoy a full day outdoors if they wanted,” she says.
Several attractions comprise the award-winning Grapevine Botanical Gardens, including the Heritage Park Bicentennial Post Oak, Butterfly Garden, Herb/Kitchen Garden, Memorial Knoll, Ed and Edith Pewitt Educational Pavilion, Julie’s Garden and Compost Corral.
In addition to providing self-guided tours for families, the Botanical Gardens offers educational programs for the community.
“The garden provides docent-led tours and school field trips through our Go Wild program,” Amanda says.
Grapevine Parks and Recreation’s Go Wild program offers fun-filled, hands-on, outdoor field explorations for children in Pre-K through fifth grade. Students observe nature and become “citizen scientists.”
In addition, Keep Grapevine Beautiful holds monthly horticulture classes on a variety of topics in the greenhouse. Gardening experts also offer talks at the gardens. Past events have focused on topics like Backyard Birding 101, Pruning and Perfect Perennials for North Texas.
“The community’s response is always positive when it comes to the Botanical Gardens. We always get compliments when we make changes and replant throughout the seasons,” Amanda says. “We believe people are grateful for this park and all it offers.”
One offering well-utilized by the community is the recently renovated Bessie Mitchell House, located within the gardens. The Bessie Mitchell House can be reserved for meetings and events and is a popular wedding destination. The facility, which can serve as many as 80 people, boasts a large kitchen, meeting room and a sprawling new outdoor patio.
“We have had an average of seven to 10 weddings per year,” Amanda says. In the past, the Bessie Mitchell House only was available for Grapevine residents, but now non-residents may rent the facility.
For more information about the Grapevine Botanical Gardens at Heritage Park, visit gograpevine.com/listing/botanicalgardens/.