White River Gardens facts for kids
Quick facts for kids White River Gardens |
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![]() Entrance to the gardens
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Location | 1200 West Washington Street, White River State Park |
Nearest city | Indianapolis, Indiana |
Area | 3.3 acres |
Status | Open |
The White River Gardens are amazing botanical gardens located right next to the Indianapolis Zoo in Indianapolis, Indiana, in the United States. These gardens are a special part of the larger White River State Park. They are a place where you can explore many different kinds of plants and learn about nature.
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Discovering White River Gardens
White River Gardens is a beautiful place for everyone to enjoy. It cost a lot of money to build, showing how important it was to create this green space. The gardens are always changing, with new plants and exhibits to see.
A Look Back at History
Building White River Gardens was a big project. It was created to give people a wonderful place to connect with plants. One of the most popular events here is the "Butterfly Kaleidoscope." This special show lets you see many live butterflies flying around. It happens every summer in the Hilbert Conservatory. The butterfly exhibit was paused for a couple of years but came back in 2013.
Exploring the Gardens
The gardens and the main conservatory are found on the east side of the Indianapolis Zoo. They are also located right along the White River. There are more than 1,000 different types of plants growing here. You can see many unique areas, including the Hilbert Conservatory. There are also special outdoor gardens.
Different Garden Styles
The White River Gardens feature several cool garden areas. Each one shows a different way to grow plants.
- Shade Garden: This area has plants that love to grow in shady spots.
- Water Garden: Here, you'll find plants that thrive in or near water.
- Wedding Garden: This garden is designed to be a beautiful spot for special events.
One main goal of the gardens is to inspire you. They want to give you ideas for designing your own garden. You can learn about different plants and how to arrange them.
The Hilbert Conservatory: A Glass House of Wonders
The Hilbert Conservatory is a huge glass building. It was finished in 1999 and designed by architects from Indianapolis. This special greenhouse has a ceiling that is about 65 feet (20 meters) high. The whole building covers an area of about 5,000 square feet (465 square meters).
Every year, the Hilbert Conservatory hosts the "Butterfly Kaleidoscope." This amazing exhibit features over 13,000 butterflies! These butterflies come from more than 40 different species. They fly in from all over the world, making the conservatory a colorful and lively place.