Sites of the Sixth Ward

The 33 acres of gardens in Wayne Township that comprise Laurelwood Arboretum were purchased in the 1930s by John & Dorothy Knippenberg. The property became home to an active nursery specializing in the propagation and hybridization of rhododendrons and azaleas. Laurelwood became renowned in the rhododendron world for its' registered hybrids and the expertise of the Knippenbergs.

Today you can stroll and enjoy over 500 varieties of rhododendrons, azaleas, shrubs, and trees with each season bringing a new wave of blooms. Early spring is greeted with bursts of color from snowdrops, crocus, daffodils and hellebores. As they fade, the azaleas and rhododendrons begin their show and continue for up to 4 months. Summer brings daylilies and hundreds of perennials. Fall is signaled by the appearance of colchicums, asters, holly and dogwood berries, and continues, with the crisper temperatures, into brilliant autumn foliage displays. Winter is the time for the textures of evergreen and deciduous trees. In February & March there are witch hazels, winter jasmine, and winter hazel blooming in yellow and orange hues.
 

In 1993 the Knippenbergs began upgrading the existing plantings for the land to become a public garden. The arboretum became part of the Wayne park system in 1996 after John's passing.  Dorothy Knippenberg continued working there everyday, year-round to maintain and improve the gardens along with Wayne Township, until her passing in 2006.
 

Please come join us for a visit, or perhaps adopt a plot of your own. Of the 30.3 acres, only a handful of areas needing attention have been adopted by individuals or groups, leaving plenty of areas yet to be adopted.

Other Slideshows & Tours:

Environmental Commission Pines Lake

Parks and Recreation Facilities

Parks and Recreation Roe Pool

Township wide Slideshow

Wayne Parks & Recreation Department