5 October 2024 ASQ Northern Virginia Section 0511 Ranger Outing to Meadowlark Botanical Garden in Vienna, VA
The Tour:
ASQ Section 0511 is pleased to have arranged for an approximate seventy five minute (one and one quarter hour) ranger-led tour of Meadowlark Botanical Garden's grounds, followed by an on-site picnic lunch brought in by your ranger lead. Space limitations provide for a maximum of twenty (20) participants per pre-reserved guide, so reserve your spot while you can!
A garden for all seasons, at the core of Meadowlark is a wonderful public garden to stroll and relax, and a center for environmental and horticultural education. Subject to change, aspects of our tour will include the Volgenau Conservatory holding the Mediterranean collection, herb garden, Gardiner and Caroline lakes, Hosta trail, and bonsai pavilion.'
The Venue:
The 95 acre Meadowlark park embodies the Virginia Piedmont, with large hills dropping off to small streams, forested hollows, ornamental gardens, native plants, lakes, trails, and expansive views. In 1935, Gardiner Means and social historian Caroline Ware purchased a 74-acre farm in Virginia's rolling Piedmont, outside of Washington, D.C., which was subsequently entrusted in the summer of 1980 to the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA). Caroline Ware had hoped that the property would remain a haven for trees, shrubs, flowers, and wildlife and, in honor of Ware's wishes to preserve the bounty of the Virginia country side, the NVRPA bought a contiguous 21-acre parcel. The property currently boasts three lakes, gazebos, trails, sculptures, collections of hosta, daylilies, ornamental cherry trees, lilac, Siberian iris, lotus, an azalea garden, a variety of air, land, and water wildlife, and so much more. Meadowlark officially opened in April 1987 with Means and Ware as guests of honor, both having passed away less than three years later.
There are 3.5 miles of paved walking trails and 1.25 miles of mulched trails. A paved ADA accessible trail is designated on a digital map with a thick white line leading from the Visitor Center to the Lake Caroline Gazebo. Please be mindful that fishing, swimming, disturbance of garden beds, and disturbing or feeding the wildlife found throughout Meadowlark is not permitted.
The tour will meet at the Visitor Center, where you will find the gift shop and restrooms. Parking is free. Should a wheelchair be required, one may be available upon advance request.
Lunch will be provided following the tour, in the picnic area located outside of the fenced Garden property, adjacent to the Lilac Pavilion, near the parking area. Picnic tables are available on a first come first served basis.
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