Friendship Botanic Gardens: A Friendly Oasis

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Though its official name is Friendship Botanic Gardens, locals call it “The Gardens.” This 105-acre tourist destination in Michigan City includes sprawling trails, forested woodlands, a spring-fed lake, well-manicured gardens for children, plus play, education, and health and wellness opportunities. It’s an outdoor enthusiast’s playground, brimming with whimsical charm and natural beauty.

Rich in History

Photo credit: Nathan Lambrecht

John Leinweber, president of the Friendship Botanic Gardens board of directors for the past six years, is working to preserve its rich history for future generations. “The garden was started as the International Friendship Gardens in 1936 and consisted of 14 ethnic gardens and the unique Theater of Nations,” he says. “It flourished during the ’30s, ’40s, ’50s and ’60s. It was a beautiful place that featured events like musicals and plays to attract visitors. In the 1960s and ’70s, The Gardens was a major tourist destination for Michigan City.”

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Unfortunately, with little financial support and a lack of full-time staff, the property became challenging to maintain, and attendance dropped over the years. When Leinweber began working to revitalize The Gardens in 2014, there wasn’t much left to see at the 105-acre site, and attendance had declined to only about 2,000 visitors each year.

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Big Plans and a Fresh Start

Photo credit: Nathan Lambrecht

With a board of directors dedicated to rejuvenating the site and expanding community programs, positive change is happening. “Now we’re getting upward of 70,000 visitors a year, and people are coming from Chicago and the surrounding counties. It’s a work in progress, but we’ve done so much, and the community has really embraced The Gardens,” Leinweber says.

Attracting millennials and young families is a goal of the current board. Leinweber says The Gardens’ future depends on the next generation getting involved, and he hopes to continue building an inclusive gathering place for the community. To do that, The Gardens hosts a plethora of public events, including free children’s educational programming such as the Butterfly Bonanza, Reptile Romp and Bug Safari. Concerts by local and accomplished musicians from the Midwest are also popular at The Gardens. La Porte County Symphony Orchestra and Opera in The Gardens have been featured as part of the Music Under the Stars concert series.

Patronage increased significantly in 2020 as more people embraced outdoor activities to support their physical and mental well-being. “Our membership and gate admissions have increased two and a half times compared to 2019,” Leinweber says. Members enjoy unlimited access to The Gardens year round, even when it’s closed to the public during the winter months.

Worth the Trip

Those planning a visit will be captivated by The Gardens’ beauty and impressive displays around every bend. There are more than 28 gardens to inspire the mind and spark enjoyment. Several new gardens include the ArcelorMittal Children’s Garden, the A-MAZE-Ing Labyrinth Garden from Horizon Bank, the Health and Wellness Garden from the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte, the Cancer Survivor Garden of Love and Hope, Veterans of Foreign Wars Garden, African American Garden, Juvenile Diabetes Peace Garden, the Rotary Club Garden, Native American Garden and many more. Visitors can also sit and enjoy Lake Lucerne with its beautiful 26-foot, multicolored fountain.

Photo credit: Nathan Lambrecht

In the ArcelorMittal Children’s Garden, children and families can use their five senses to explore raised plant beds and other flowers in this unique, hands-on learning space. The recently installed Whimsical Cabin lets young visitors watch as busy bees churn out honey in a thriving beehive, highlighting the importance of bees.

More than 3 miles of dog-friendly walking and hiking trails span the 105- acre property through woodlands and landscaped garden spaces. “This is such a beautiful place because we’re surrounded by trails that go up and down dunes, but it’s all wooded,” Leinweber says. “We are so grateful for the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte that gave us the capacity to asphalt all of our main paths throughout The Gardens, allowing us to become ADA-compliant.”

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Extracurricular Excursions

Photo credit: Nathan Lambrecht

Fishing for trout and salmon on the Trail Creek and nature-watching are other popular visitor activities. In the winter months, visitors can cross-country ski and hike through The Gardens.

Weddings at The Gardens are picturesque for those seeking a natural environment for their nuptials. Couples can choose from several outdoor venue options, either in an intimate setting or in a larger space accommodating up to 500 guests. “We’re hosting over 60 weddings a year now, so we recently built the Celebration Pavilion to house receptions for up to 250 guests,” Leinweber says. “This premier space overlooks Lake Lucerne and our beautiful fountain. The outdoor ambiance is magnificent for any special occasion.”

If You Go

Friendship Botanic Gardens

2055 E. US-12, Michigan City
219-878-9885

The Gardens are open six days a week from May 1 to Oct. 31. For more visitor information and an updated schedule of events, visit friendshipgardens.org.

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1 Comment

  1. Mary

    July 5, 2021 at 5:25 pm

    RV camping nearby?

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