Accomplishments 2023-current

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The Zorniger Visitor Center Flooring in the Huffman Gallery was replaced with new tile flooring. 

Tree shading was added to to the Barbara Cox Center for Sustainable Horticulture propagation area to protect the trees as they await planting throughout Five Rivers MetroParks

Decoding Dayton created a series of episodes showing the past, present and future of Five Rivers MetroParks.  Foundation support helped make this series possible.  

The terrace plaza overlooking the pond and Monet Bridget received repair work replacing the tile with pavers and adding ADA accessible picnic tables. 

The garden showcases an assortment of herbs, vegetables,and fruits.  Each summer, volunteers help harvest more than 1,000 pounds of produce which is donated to The Foodbank. 

A special thanks to Maimon Family, whose support made this project possible.   

(dedicated to Dr. Samuel N. Maimon) 

The Monet Bridge was constructed in 1987.  The original wooden bridge was showing its age and beginning to develop decay compromising the structural integrity.  The steep incline of the original design presented safety concerns and did not meet mandated accessibility standards. The replacement bridge captures the spirit of its predecessor, is low maintenance and meets state and federal accessibility standards.

Created by two rows planted parallel to each other of 50 'Exclamation' London Planetrees.  Along the trees 218 'Little Quick Fire' Hydrangeas were planted and 520 Dianthus 'Firewitch' planted along the bed edge.

The wall helps retain soil., while the groundcover, perennials and native grasses help prevent erosion, add beauty and encourage pollinators.

A special thanks to the Zorniger Family Fund at The Dayton Foundation, donors and members whose support made this possible.

The stone wall at the edge of the pond was rebuilt to improve the aesthetics and safety.

The large stones were reset so water would once again move correctly through the outflow and creating a smoother path for visitors to cross.

New flooring and interpretive signage was installed in the Resource Center, along with ADA doors

New flooring was installed and a new seed cooler purchased, allowing for easier clean up and more storage for seed propagation.

Opened in 2012, rising 65 feet above the conifer collection.  Providing commanding views of the grounds. The tower is anchored by an inviting terrace where visitors can gather to enjoy the view.

Each spring visitors to the Arboretum shrub garden can experience a walk fragranced with the sweet scent and beautiful blooms of lilacs and magnolias. Both of these collections have grown substantially over the past few years and continue to grow with new plantings added each spring and fall.

A special thanks to Charles R. Niehaus, whose generous gift from his estate made this project possible.

 The Arbor includes elements of the tree tower, lathe house and has its own irrigation system and electrical access.  It sets on slated gemstone and features a matching slate roof. 

Thirty-two years of accumulated silt diminished the holding capacity of the pond and reduced the functionality of the recirculating pump.  Removing the silt from the pond restored the pond to its former glory, increasing efficiencies and assuring continued operation of the stream.  

A half-mile loop leading visitors past major features of the Arboretum.  The specially colored permeable paver path begins at the main parking lot, through the wildflower garden, past the prairie, butterfly house, shrub garden, edible landscape garden, Barbara Cox Center for Sustainable Horticulture, and back to the Zorniger Education and Visitor Center. 

The Barbara Cox Center’s programming emphasis highlights two prominent MetroParks' conservation initiatives: tree propagation and the Woodland Wildflower rescue and propagation program.  

Other features include: greenhouse glass replaced with multi-layer acrylic and tempered glass and rain water harvesting system.

 
  A special thanks to Barbara Cox and the James M. Cox Foundation, whose support made this project possible.

A recreation of an English maze named Veronica's Maze, originally created in the 18th century, located at Parham Park in West Sussex.  

A special thanks to the Bell family, whose support made this project possible.

Planted 40+ Scarlet Oak trees along the winding entrance drive.  Six species of trees (70 total) were planted along the eastern edge of the arboretum, bordering SR741, with 300 boxwoods interpersed among the trees.  

The garden showcases an assortment of herbs, vegetables,and fruits.  Each summer, volunteers help harvest more than 1,000 pounds of produce which is donated to The Foodbank. 

A special thanks to Maimon Family, whose support made this project possible.   

(dedicated to Dr. Samuel N. Maimon) 

Includes the education & visitor center, learning lab, greenhouses and resource center.

A special thanks to the Zorniger Family, sponsors and donors, whose support made this project possible.

Planted more than 3,500 irises. Garden preparation included design, construction
and engineering of a channel to handle the high volume of water that flows onto
the grounds from adjacent land.

seasons.

Blooms in late March through mid-summer.  

A special thanks to Jim and Jean Graham, whose support made this project possible.

Made possible with a generous donation from Floyd Taylor planted along the Stonewall Garden path in memory of his daughter Margaret Hong.