Elkhart, Indiana is full of many hidden gems. One of the most beautiful areas to view nature in Elkhart is at the Wellfield Botanic Gardens; 36 acres of land with water features and plants galore. Wellfield is open year-round, allowing guests to experience the natural changing of seasons and appreciate the complexity of nature. Not only can you enjoy nature, but also special events, festivals, workshops, concerts, educational series, and seasonal programming.
Wellfield began as a piece of land known as the “North Main Street Well Field” that sourced hydraulic energy and drinking water to the City of Elkhart. Working side by side with the city still, 13 wells still operate on site and provide drinking water to the surrounding areas. The Gardens were born out of a community service project in 2002 with the Elkhart Rotary Club. The final vision of the Gardens included 25 themed garden areas, event spaces, a visitor’s center, and various amenities for guests. Construction officially began in 2006 and the Gardens continue to grow.
Wellfield has seen a steady increase in visitors in the past five years growing from 20,000 to 75,000 per year, becoming a hot spot in downtown Elkhart. Wellfield describes their gardens as a living collection of plants designed to tell stories, spark curiosity, and create creative connections. Botanic gardens are an integral part of plant conservation. Wellfield keeps a detailed track record of their plants, each of which are labeled with small signs indicating the plant’s common name, scientific name, and plant family.
On the 36 acres, most of which is water, there is a 1/2-mile Promenade trail that will take you all around the lot to each of the current 18 gardens. Some of the areas you will come across are the Waterfall Garden, Sensory Garden, Children’s Garden, Lotus Creek Garden, and the Pergola Garden. Each Garden has its own diverse array of plants, water features, statues, and thoughtful landscaping. Right outside the Visitor’s Cottage, you can find the larger than life Quilt Garden; a patterned arrangement of over one million blooming flowers!
The Wellfield Botanic Gardens are currently open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but their hours vary by season. Admission prices are $10 for guests 13 and older, $5 for guests 3 to 12 years old, and free for children under the age of 3. Elkhart County residents and members of the Botanic Gardens can enjoy the Gardens for free. This Botanic Garden is a peaceful step away from city life and back into our roots in nature.