Fellows Riverside Gardens

Fellows Riverside Gardens is a free public garden located at the northern end of Mill Creek MetroParks. This twelve-acre display garden features a diverse landscape of color: rose gardens, annuals, perennials, flowering bulbs and scenic vistas.
Located in Mahoning County, Fellows Riverside Gardens is one of Ohio’s finest botanical gardens and attracts over 400,000 visitors a year. The Davis Visitor Center includes a café, gift shop, art gallery, horticultural library and observation tower.

Beautiful Blooms

Fellows Riverside Garden was born out of Elizabeth Fellows’ dream “to create a beauty spot to be enjoyed by all.” In 1958, she willed the land to Mill Creek MetroParks for them to build and maintain a free public garden. After that, Landscape Architect John L. Paolano got to work designing and implementing the plans for the gardens, incorporating the land’s two distinct overlooks. The first seed was planted in 1963, and flowers have been blooming for all to see ever since — with over 40,000 bulbs each spring.

Where to Explore

Arseny Melnick Observation Tower (elevated view of Lake Glacier and the Gardens)

Beeghly Garden (cherry trees and potted plants)

Watson White Garden (white flowers)

DeYor Concourse (seasonal displays)

Schaff-Comita Shade Garden (low-light and shade plants)

Seasonal Celebration Plaza (Sommer Fountain with surrounding benches)

Muransky Perennial Walk (colorful perennials)

South Terrance and Kidston Pavilion (view of Lake Glacier)

Joanne F. Beeghly Rose Garden (over 1,300 roses that bloom from June through October)

Christina’s Garden Labyrinth (personal exploration)

English and Miniature Roses (raised beds and annuals)

Herb and Fragrance Garden (spicy aromas of herbs and sweet scents)

Beeghly Gazebo (surrounded by old-fashioned roses, daylilies, iris and peonies)

Narcissus, Rhododendron and Woody Plant Collections (daffodils, rhododendrons, azaleas, and more)

Outdoor Gallery (art exhibit in nature)

Ohio Woodland Garden (native Ohio trees, shrubs and wildflowers)

Quarry Garden (trail and plants from harvested stone)

The Gathering (stone collections for sitting)

Blue Garden (blue-colored hostas, annuals, perennials and bulbs)

Hillside Garden (unusual conifers)

Heather Garden (winter-blooming heaths and summer-blooming heathers)

Trial Garden (newest varieties of flowering annuals and vegetables)

Beech Collection (European and American beech)

Great Lawn (sloping hill to observe surrounding landscape)

Seasonal Display Beds (colorful bulb displays and vibrant annuals, depending on the season)

Long Mall (architectural feature lined with blooms)

Dahlia Garden (beautiful blooms of all types)

Family Garden (a showcase for honeybee hives)


Download the Fellows Riverside Gardens map and stay a step ahead of your colorful garden adventure.

Programs

Who said a botanical garden has to shut down in the winter? Fellows Riverside Gardens holds programs year-round, whether that’s structured hikes through the park or indoor classes.

Yoga in the Gardens

For just $15 per class, you can practice (or learn) some yoga skills every Tuesday and Thursday in the Fellows Riverside Gardens Radius Program Classroom. Yoga in the Gardens is open to all levels of experience.

Pumpkin Walk at Twilight

See The Gardens like never before! While the sun sets and the moon rises, you can enjoy a stroll through pumpkin-lined pathways as they light up the gardens. The Pumpkin Walk at Twilight is held annually on a Sunday in October.

Festival of Trees

Fellows Riverside Gardens holds an annual event each December called Winter Celebration: Festival of Trees. The event includes over 50 specially decorated Christmas trees lining the Visitor Center. Additionally, the park features holiday light displays and seasonal flowers.

Margaret Cushwa Outdoor Educational Building

In 2022, the Margaret Cushwa Outdoor Educational Building opened as the first phase of the Children’s Garden. This initiative aims to develop an area of The Gardens to act as a safe, educational space for children to learn and explore. The plans include climbing areas, a meandering stream for children to play, wooden boardwalks, tree platforms and plant-based foods.

The D.D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center

Opened in 2000, the D.D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center stands as the heart of Fellows Riverside Gardens. Serving as a versatile hub for programs and events, the center offers historical insights and diverse exhibits.
The Maxine Antonucci Library features horticulture books, while the Arseny Melnick Observation Tower provides breathtaking views. There are also many rental opportunities, including the Kidston Classroom, Radius Room, Garden Café, and Rossi Auditorium, making it an ideal venue for weddings and other special events.

Garden Café by Kravitz

Nestled within Fellows Riverside Gardens is the Garden Café by Kravitz – a culinary oasis that enhances the visitor experience with delightful flavors and stunning views. This charming café overlooks the serene Lake Glacier with a diverse menu of homemade soups, fresh-to-order salads, light wraps, signature sandwiches and specialty beverages.

Special Events

This beautiful landscape is a sight to behold all year long, and that’s why Fellows Riverside Gardens is a top spot for couples, families and organizations in search of unique rental spaces.

Wedding Ceremonies

With so many garden and outdoor areas, Fellows Riverside Gardens is a favorite for couples looking to tie the knot surrounded by stunning scenery.

Gazebo

A common location for elegant outdoor weddings, the Victorian-style Gazebo at Fellows Riverside Gardens is surrounded by spring tulips and the sweet scent of beautiful blooms, making the atmosphere even more awe-inspiring.

Kidston Pavilion

The Kidston Pavilion is another stunning venue for an outdoor wedding or ceremony. Acting as a rosey backdrop, guests can admire The Joanne F. Beeghly Rose Garden and perennial walk.

Daniel L. Rossi Auditorium

There’s more to Fellows than outdoor spaces! The Daniel L. Rossi Auditorium is a beautiful indoor space with a floor-to-ceiling window wall that offers guests a breathtaking view of the park during any event. Plus, renting the auditorium includes access to the terrace and a private white garden.

For more information on programs and events at Fellows Riverside Gardens, visit millcreekmetroparks.org/programs.