Inniswood Metro Gardens

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Inniswood Metro Gardens is a 123-acre public garden located in Westerville, Ohio.


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Summary

The gardens are a popular destination for visitors due to its beautiful landscapes, diverse plant collections, and educational programs.

There are several reasons to visit Inniswood Metro Gardens. The gardens offer a peaceful and serene environment perfect for relaxing, enjoying nature, and taking photos. Additionally, the gardens have over 2,000 species of plants, including several rare and unusual plants, making it a great destination for plant enthusiasts. The gardens also have several educational programs for visitors of all ages, including guided tours, plant sales, and children's programs.

Some specific points of interest to see at Inniswood Metro Gardens include the Rose Garden, Herb Garden, Woodland Rock Garden, and Sisters' Garden. The Rose Garden is home to over 1,200 roses, while the Herb Garden features various herbs used for culinary, medicinal, and aromatic purposes. The Woodland Rock Garden is a naturalistic garden featuring a waterfall and several rock formations. Finally, the Sisters' Garden is a tribute to the four Innis sisters who donated the gardens to the public.

Interesting facts about Inniswood Metro Gardens include the fact that the gardens were originally part of a 37-acre estate owned by sisters Grace and Mary Innis. The sisters willed the gardens to the city of Westerville in 1972, and it was opened to the public in 1982. Additionally, the gardens have several art installations, including a bronze statue of a girl reading a book and a kinetic sculpture of a dragonfly.

The best time of year to visit Inniswood Metro Gardens is in the spring and summer when the gardens are in full bloom. The gardens also host several events throughout the year, including the annual Herb Day festival in May and the Harvest Festival in September.

Overall, Inniswood Metro Gardens is a beautiful and educational destination for visitors of all ages. With its diverse plant collections, stunning landscapes, and educational programs, it is a must-visit for anyone interested in nature and gardening.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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