Yes!
Mission Oaks Gardens
Mission Oaks Gardens is a beautiful urban garden located in Zanesville, Ohio. It exists quietly and virtually undetectable from the street in a residential neighborhood. The garden’s history began in the late 1980’s with the purchase of the property by Bert and Susan Hendley. They lovingly restored the mission style home which sits at the top of the property and then began development of the gardens in an abandoned ravine located below the home. The ravine’s unique micro-climate made it suitable for the survival of both native and non-native plants to this part of Ohio.
Today, the Muskingum Valley Park District Headquarters Office is located on this property with more than seven acres of gardens showcasing hundreds of rare and unusual plants including a collection of azaleas, rhododendrons, magnolias, and conifers. Mission Oaks Gardens also features two man-made waterfalls, a wetlands bog, perennial garden with majority being native species, gazebo, a creek bed, and one of the most renowned conifer gardens in the state. The nearly two-acre conifer collection displays over 300 trees, many of which are not native to North America. These trees represent more than 90 species within more than 50 genera. Perennials, annuals, and wildflowers fill the gardens year-round. Visitors can explore the gravel, grassed, and mulched walking paths that meander through the sections of the gardens.
Mission Oaks Gardens is a family-friendly park that offers Olga’s Children’s Garden and an Enchanted Fairy Garden. The children’s garden offers a fenced in area with room to explore in nature safely with a Sensory Garden, and a sandbox with a potting bench. The Discovery Shed is an enclosed space to learn about our native flora and fauna. The shed is closed November through April. The Enchanted Fairy Garden is open all year round; however, the fairies and gnomes travel to Florida to stay warm September until early May. The Enchanted Fairy Garden comes alive early May when we celebrate National Public Gardens Day and remains open through the end of August.
Directions: Head north on Maple Ave to Dresden Rd. Veer right onto Dresden and make a right on Yale Ave. Turn right on Euclid Ave. Turn left on Hunter Ave. Parking and entrance are at the end of Hunter Ave.
424 Hunter Ave, Zanesville, OH 43701
(740) 455-8237
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FAQs
Dawn to Dusk, 365 days a year!
No! All of our parks are free to explore.
The gravel path through the perennial gardens is the most accessible path at this location.
424 Hunter Avenue in Zanesville, Ohio 43701.
Yes, but pets must remain on a leash including the fenced-in children’s garden. All pet waste must be disposed of using our pet stations onsite.
The main parking lot is at 424 Hunter Avenue. There is overflow parking allowed in the parking lot’s green space. Street parking also available.
Yes, there is a portable restroom available year-round.
Yes! We have the Visitor’s Center for special parties for a fee. Weddings and other parties are allowed in the gardens with a fee and Special Use Permit. For more details visit our page Our Policies and Venue Rentals:
Yes, please follow our Rules and Regulations available here: