Accomplishments 2023-current

Maimon Memorial Garden Pergola

The entrance pergola was replaced in the Maimon Memorial Edible Landscape Garden.

Shrub Garden Pond

Maimon Memorial Garden Pergola

Work was done around the Shrub Garden Pond creating two retaining walls and plantings of additional native plants creating more pollinator habitation.

Nature Play

Pollinator Habitat

A new nature play was created north of the tree tower. Unlike traditional playgrounds, nature play areas feature branches, boulders and other natural objects, also known as loose parts, that serve as outdoor playscapes and toys.

Pollinator Habitat

The pollinator habitat was created as a demonstration garden where park visitors can learn and see how to create pollinator gardens at home.

Accomplishments 2021-2022

Visitor Center Flooring

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

Tree Shading

Visitor Center 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 Nature

Visitor Center Flooring

Decoding Nature

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

Accomplishments 2016-2020

Terrace Plaza

Edible Landscape Paver Pathway

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

Edible Landscape Paver Pathway

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)

Monet Bridge

Edible Landscape Paver Pathway

Monet Bridge

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.

Allée

Wildflower Walk Retaining Wall

Monet Bridge

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.

Wildflower Walk Retaining Wall

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.

Meditation Pond

Wildflower Walk Retaining Wall

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

Mechanical Stream

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

Resource Center

Mechanical Stream

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

Growhouse

Mechanical Stream

Growhouse

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

Accomplishments 2012-2016

Tree Tower & Terrace

Lilac & Magnolia Collection

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.

Lilac & Magnolia Collection

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.

Arbor

Lilac & Magnolia Collection

Water Garden Improvments

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.

Water Garden Improvments

Barbara Cox Center for Sustainable Horticulture

Water Garden Improvments

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.

Loop Path

Barbara Cox Center for Sustainable Horticulture

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.

Barbara Cox Center for Sustainable Horticulture

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.

Accomplishments 2001-2012

Children's Maze

Maimon Memorial Garden

Tree & Shrub Plantings

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.

Tree & Shrub Plantings

Maimon Memorial Garden

Tree & Shrub Plantings

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.

Maimon Memorial Garden

Zorniger Education Campus

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)

Zorniger Education Campus

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.

Iris Garden

Zorniger Education Campus

Peony Garden

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.

Peony Garden

Zorniger Education Campus

Peony Garden

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