Clark Gardens

 Clark Gardens is the result of years of work by Max and Bobbi Clack who owned a company that specialized in burying fiber optic cables. Max also designed a rock saw that could cut trenches for the cables. The saw is on display at the far west end of the gardens.

The gardens cover 50 acres and includes roses, azaleas, lilies, irises, wildflowers, fountains, lakes, streams, and many paths.  Model trains run through a miniature garden and into a little town. A Historic Tree Trail features 86 trees grown from seeds or cutting from trees located at places of historic importance. This sycamore tree doesn't look very impressive but it was grown from a cutting of a tree that was grown from a cutting of the tree that Hippocrates sat under in Greece when he taught his students. 

 

Many areas of the gardens have facilities that can be rented. Chairs and tables were set up for an evening wedding when we visited. This was near the entrance of the gardens and was much more manicured than the rest of the gardens. Other areas looked slightly neglected with weeds growing in the flowerbeds and paths that needed repairs. This was especially noticeable at the Rose Garden and the Historic Tree Trail which look like they don't get many visitors perhaps because they're at the far end of the gardens. 

 

The gardens are large so most wheelchair users will need assistance. Paths vary - hard packed dirt, rough flagstone, broken paver brick, rough gravel, and lumpy grass. Obstacles include steps and uneven transitions between surfaces. 

 

The parking lot is large enough for any vehicle. Gardens  32.80376, -98.02306