Gardens of the Fox Cities

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Scheig Center Gardens
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Gardens of the Fox Cities
Interactive map of Scheig Center Gardens
Type Botanical gardens, Arboretum
LocationAppleton Memorial Park, 1313 Witzke Boulevard, Appleton, Wisconsin
Area35 acres (14 ha)
Website Official website

Scheig Center Gardens (35 acres) are botanical gardens and an arboretum located in Appleton Memorial Park and are managed by the city of Appleton, Wisconsin. The gardens are free and open daily to the public year round from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. [1] The gardens are home to the Scheig Center, a 190-person capacity venue available for reservation. [2]

Contents

Garden displays and natural areas combine to showcase the seasonal beauty of plants and gardens in Wisconsin. The original purpose of the gardens was to help visitors learn and appreciate Wisconsin native plants and their environmental importance through education, protection, preservation, and propagation. [3] [4]

The gardens include paved paths, trails, ponds, perennial gardens, including three rose gardens, [5] native wildflower gardens, a prairie, and a reforested area. [4]

History

In 1992, local naturalists formed the Friends of the Park, originally planning to construct an arboretum, similar to the Madison Arboretum. This idea shifted, and became the Henry [6] and Mary Scheig [7] Learning Center, named for the previous president of Aid Association for Lutherans (now Thrivent). [3] The Gardens of the Fox Cities operated as a nonprofit organization and leased the 35 acre land and building for the gardens since 1994. [2] In May 2006, the Gardens announced a long-term expansion project. The plan would include the addition of, among other things, a rose garden, perennial garden, bird meadow, serenity garden, and outdoor amphitheater.[ citation needed ] On January 24, 2014, the gardens closed due to financial and staffing issues, [8] [9] and in February, the Gardens of the Fox Cities lease was terminated. In May the gardens reopened, [2] and in August, the gardens were officially renamed the Scheig Center Gardens. [5]

References

  1. ↑ "Appleton Parks and Recreation". parks.appletonwi.gov. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 Penzenstadler, Nick (May 8, 2014). "Gardens, Scheig Center reopen at Memorial Park". The Post-Crescent. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  3. 1 2 "A Brief History About the Scheig Center & Gardens" (PDF). Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  4. 1 2 Winkler, Natasha (June 6, 2025). "A Garden Gem Is Created In Appleton: The Scheig Center Gardens". Grand Chute Gazette. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  5. 1 2 Zimmer, Rob (August 20, 2014). "Yard MD blog: Memorial Park Gardens renamed". The Post-Crescent. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Henry Scheig Obituary (1924 - 2014) - Wauwatosa, WI - Door County Advocate". Legacy.com. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Mary Scheig Obituary (1924 - 2018) - Mequon, WI - Appleton Post-Crescent". Legacy.com. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  8. ↑ Zimmer, Rob (March 10, 2014). "Yard MD blog: Gardens of the Fox Cities announcement expected soon". The Post-Crescent. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  9. ↑ Ryman, Richard (April 6, 2014). "Lamers Bus Lines' Wisconsin intercity service grows". The Post-Crescent. Retrieved December 1, 2025.

See also

44°17′26″N88°23′06″W / 44.2906°N 88.3851°W / 44.2906; -88.3851


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