On nice days Tom and I continue to explore our local parks.  We recently spent a lovely afternoon at Inniswood Metro Gardens in Westerville.

Inniswood Metro Gardens is located between Uptown Westerville and Hoover Reservoir.  The 127 acre park was the estate of sisters Grace and Mary Innis.  They donated the estate to the Metro Parks in 1972.  The Innis House became the park office, a horticulture library, and education center.  The gardens have more than 2,000 species of plants including feature gardens with hostas, daffodils, and daylilies.

November is never the best time to visit gardens, but Tom and I enjoyed walking the two miles of trails that wind in and through the park.  There are ten different gardens which are small islands of specialty amid the trees and landscaped grounds.  We walked around on a beautiful November weekday afternoon and the park was crowded with people.  It was one of the few outside places we have worn masks.  We ran across at least ten photographers taking senior or engagement pictures.  Even in November the gardens are beautiful.

One area that was especially nice was the rock garden.  This woodland garden was added in 1992.  It features cascading waterfalls and a man-made creek.  The conifer garden also looked as it does during much of the year.  Some colorful leaves still clung to the trees throughout the park.

We enjoyed the sculptures that dot the park.  There was a sculpture of Grace and Mary Innis as teenagers.  Several sculptures of children dotted the park.  One area had giant sunflower sculptures.  Probably the oddest sculpture was an indigenous woman standing on a turtle.

It was a beautiful day for a walk and it was good to see so many people taking advantage of Inniswood Metro Gardens.  Tom and I are looking forward to walking there again in the spring and summer when the flowers will be blooming.  The park is easy to access and, best of all, it is free.