Clary Gardens continues to expand offerings

COSHOCTON − Spring is a time of reawakening and renewal and that's maybe no more true than at Clary Gardens.

The 20-acre facility at 588 W. Chestnut St. is a community botanical garden that has become one of the top wedding sites in the state. The gardens feature two historic homes, a natural amphitheater, rose garden with gazebo, children's garden and walking trails.

The gardens started with the late Beth Clary, who wanted to cement the Clary legacy in the community after the death of her husband, Lawrence. Clary Brothers Florist opened in 1907 and closed in 2009. Beth decided on the Chestnut Street site because of its rolling hills, natural springs for watering plants and two historic homes.

Two summers ago, Clary Gardens celebrated its 20th anniversary by unveiling a new pavilion with a concrete floor and wooden roof. It replaced a tented area used for special events and wedding receptions. More work around that area has been done since, which includes a pond with waterfall, and more is planned this year.

Executive Director Jandi Adams said summer is, by far, their busiest time of year. Not only are weddings booked most weekends, but they have a variety of programs scheduled for youths and adults ranging from volunteer weeding to a theater camp and musical presentation. Much of the programming is free or offered for a small fee. The gardens are also open free to the public except when a wedding is happening.

"A lot of people don't realize how big Clary Gardens is and how our reach has grown and everything we dabble in. We have so many community events that are happening here, almost everyday," Adams said. "We estimate more than 25,000 people come through the gardens in a year."

Summer events

A big draw for families is the educational programming. Adams said about 70 families a week come in for such activities. A highlight this summer will be a return of Midwest Falconry. Handlers display a variety of owls, falcons and hawks up close and with flying demonstrations.

The annual summer children's program also returns with activities on Tuesday starting May 30. Programming is offered other days of the week through the Coshocton Public Library, Johnson Humrickhouse Museum, Pomerene Center for the Arts and Roscoe Village.

The theme for Clary Gardens' portion this year is Disney, in honor of the company's 100th anniversary. Adams said they go on hikes, wade through creeks and plant vegetables and fruits kids can pick and take home at the end of the program's eight weeks.

"We have it in such a way, usually the whole family comes. We have the space out here to do that," Adams said. "Ever since we got the pavilion in place in 2021, that was really a game changer for us. We have all this space in the amphitheater to have these educational events, but now, if it does rain, we can still have those events."

New this year is yoga with Heather Guess of Humble Warrior Yoga two or three days a week and a youth theater camp with Mary McMullen in July. It will follow a production of "Monty Python's Spamalot" by Rogue Elephant Production in the amphitheater. This is the third year for an outdoor show with Rogue Elephant doing "Into the Woods" in 2021 and "Godspell" in 2022.

"We're dedicated to going above and beyond, that's why the gardens are here. Low cost or not cost programming for our events are really important to showcase local history and the arts," Adams said. "The people who put this garden together over 20 years ago put together a vision statement that said all the things we're doing now. It said we would like this to be a cultural center with musical productions and to have an amphitheater built for the community come and use."

Continuing projects

Currently a fireplace is being installed at the pavilion and handicapped accessible walking paths are being constructed around the pavilion and other areas. They are to be done by the end of May with more work slated for completion next spring. The fireplace will extend the season by providing heat at the pavilion and for aesthetics, Adams said.

Adams said Americans with Disabilities Act approved parking is also in the works. She said the goal is to have someone with mobility issues being able to traverse the garden from bottom to top with every element of the gardens connected.

"This whole project is about accessibility. We have this amazing space and now the number one question is how we get to this space," Adams said. "All our events are family friendly, but a lot of the time not all members of a family can get up to the space. A lot of people just don't have the ability."

A public capital campaign will start this summer to help complete capital improvements. The goal is $250,000. Everything that's been done so far and what's left is estimated at $2.23 million with money coming from grants and private donations. There are also plans to build a grand staircase at the bottom of the pavilion that will lead to what will be known as the white venue and a secret garden that will serve as another wedding spot.

Separate from that, the children's garden is also getting an update. A section will be turned into Clary Brothers Florist, a tribute to Clary Gardens' roots. Rain water will be collected for children to play in and for watering of plants. There will also be a station for potting plants.

"It's playing florist," Adams said.

Additionally, a large white board is being donated for use and stumps will be placed for seating to create an outdoor classroom.

"It's a huge part of our mission. Education in general, not just for kids, but families and reaching these families. Here in Appalachia, we have a lot of kids who are never exposed to or know how to react to bugs and animals and things they find in their backyard," Adams said. "It's this natural play where it's okay to climb on rocks and dig in the dirt."

For more information on what Clary Gardens has to offer, go to clarygardens.org or call 740-622-6524.

Leonard Hayhurst is a community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune with more than 15 years of local journalism experience and multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. He can be reached at 740-295-3417 or llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com. Follow him on Twitter at @llhayhurst.

Upcoming Events at Clary Gardens

∎ Community plant swap from noon to 2 p.m. April 29. Bring your plants for splitting and sharing.

∎ Build your own tea plant garden from 4 to 6 p.m. May 12. Bring your own container for planting of herbs you can use to create your own tea garden.

∎ Weeding the beds will be a volunteer event from 2 to 5 p.m. May 17. Help to weed the gardens and ask any gardening questions you might have.

∎ The annual summer children's program for ages 5 to 12 will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Tuesdays for eight weeks starting May 30. There will be a brief hike and group activity with crafts. Cost is $1 a day.

∎ Painting rocks for National Best Friends Day will be from 4 to 6 p.m. June 8. Cost is $3 or free for Friends of the Gardens members.

∎ Midwest Falconry presentation at noon and 2 p.m. June 13 in the stone amphitheater.

∎ Play in the Garden for the First Day of Summer will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 21. There will be light refreshments and summer-themed games along with discussion on garden projects such as wedding, mulching, watering and other garden upkeep.

∎ "Monty Python's Spamalot" by Rogue Elephant Productions at 7 p.m. July 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15.

∎ Children's theater camp July 17 to 21 with facilitator Mary McMullen. Preschool to fifth grade students are from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and sixth to 12th grade students are 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $10 per child per day or $40 for the week. A performance will be on July 23.

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Clary Gardens continues to expand offerings