Arboretum Bridge

Ohio History

Water Lily Pond

Did you recognize this bridge? It’s a reproduction of the Monet Bridge from the French artist’s famous paintings. I’ve never been to the real one, but this looks pretty realistic to me! It’s even surrounded by lily pads. In the background is the Zorniger Education Center (that’s right—I found it in the brochure…), a sort of nature center/gift shop. The arboretum gives horticultural programs, hosts special events, and has an annual native plant sale. Cox Arboretum turned out to be more than a regular metro park—an interesting place!

Arboretum Gardens

Ohio History

Yellow Lilies

This beautiful bunch of lilies grew in one of the arboretum gardens. There were nine theme gardens in the park, featuring all kinds of shrubs, wildflowers, edible plants, conifers, and several vine-covered arbors. There was even a shrub maze for children formed by 1,175 boxwood plants! My favorite was the rock garden, where a stone path lead over a gurgling stream with unique rocks and plants.

Rose

A rainbow of different roses was planted in yet another garden area. Most of them were old and wilted but this one was still pretty. There’s just something about photo—almost seems like you could reach out and touch it!

Cox Arboretum

Ohio History

Arboretum Lake

Spring is a beautiful time to visit local parks and gardens, when trees are freshly leafed out and flowers are blooming. A couple years ago we spent a spring afternoon at the Cox Arboretum MetroPark near Dayton. The park is 189 acres, mostly forests and meadows with a couple miles of hiking trails. It also has a variety of special gardens and several lakes and ponds. We saw this lake on our walk through the gardens—it looked so quiet and still.