Schoepfle Garden Lorain Metro Parks

The fact that spring is right around the corner has put me in the mood to review a place that is a regular spring stop for me. Just west of the Vermilion River, in Birmingham, Ohio, there is a lovely park by the name of Schoepfle Garden. It is part of the Lorain Metro-parts system and is a very well maintained, function botanical garden. It has around twenty display areas with ample parking. There are many floral views and scenic displays. Be prepared to walk and look about. There are great pathways and a pond or two. You may want to pack a lunch so you can take your time and really commune with the nature presented. Spring is a time for flowers and they have many of them on display as well as many topiaries and trees. They have many trees that are not indigenus to the Firelands area. As I have said it is a well maintained area and everytime I have been there the pathways have been well kept and easy to negotiate. There are 70 acres to walk in so comfortable shoes are a must. The park is named after Otto B. Schoepfle. He bought the property in 1936. Apparently he was much taken by the botanical gardens he had visited in Europe. He built this one in homage to the European ones he had been to. He donated the entire property, including his house, to the Lorain Metro Parks in 1969. I recommend bringing a camera as you will get spectacular photos at most times of the year. Even though I really like the garden in springtime my favorite time to visit is in the summer. The last week of June and the first few weeks of July are when the hostas are blooming and they are stunning. This is a great place to stop when we are out and about on the motorcycle. We like to pick up a sandwich at deli and ride to the garden to dine beneath the trees. You can hear the Vermilion River at most places in the garden and its tranquil murmuring gives a great sense of peace to the already relaxing park. The entrance to the garden is on Market Street in Birmingham, it is the first street west of the Vermilion River on SR113. It is very easy to find and to get in and out of. The Schoepfle Garden is a singular area of the Firelands and I have not seen its ilk any where nearby. Enjoy your time there and let me know what you think.