Harvard-trained economist Gardiner Means and social historian Caroline Ware donated their 74-acre farm to the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA) in the summer of 1980. Caroline Ware simply stated the property should “create a permanence in the land…a way by which the farm could remain a haven for trees, shrubs and flowers to preserve the bounty of the Virginia country side.” Following these wishes, NVRPA bought a contiguous 21-acre parcel and started planning a public garden.
By the mid-80’s, three lakes were added to the largest stream course. Several trails outlined in an early master plan took shape. Collections of hosta, daylilies, and ornamental cherry trees were planted. Later, an azalea garden, a lilac collection, and a Siberian iris and native tree trail were added. Three gazebos were built in different areas of the garden. Meadowlark opened officially in April 1987 with Means and Ware as the guests of honor. Less than three years later both had passed away but their vision of a public garden was taking shape.
The Meadowlark Visitor Center opened in 1992, and featured a gift shop, a library, a large fireplace, and high vaulted ceilings. A short time later, the garden received a large donation of dwarf conifers from the private collection of Dr. Albert Paulsen. Perennial, butterfly, herb gardens, and an ornamental grass collection were established by the mid-90’s, concurrent with irrigation expansion. In 1998, The Atrium, an events facility, opened. Built to match the architectural style of the Visitor Center, and attended by an exquisite White Garden, The Atrium rapidly became a premier public garden event venue. In 2000, Washingtonian Magazine voted it among the top three event venues in the Washington metropolitan area.
In 2005, an historic log cabin dating to 1755 opened to the public, and an exceptional new wooden bridge was built between the islands in Lake Gardiner. Built of seven native hardwoods, the bridge is both curved and arched. A revised master plan is in development, and a taxonomic survey of the collections is in progress. The Visitor Center was remodeled 2003 to expand exhibit space.
Visitor Center Hours:
November - March 25 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM Gardens close at 4:00 PM
March 26 - October 10:00 AM- 6:30 PM Gardens close at 7:00 PM
*Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day
*(Does not apply to Winter Walk of Lights)
Fees: $4 for ages 6-17 & ages 55+, $8 for ages 18-54, and free for ages 5 & under
Please obey all park rules and guidelines!!!!!
Logging Requirements:
1. Take a photo of yourself, your GPS or something with your caching name on it in one of two places: The posted coords or anywhere inside the Gardens, if you choose to pay to see the Gardens.
2. There are two benches outside of the Visitor Center entrance, what are the people's names on those benches. I'm looking for three names.
Permission for this cache was granted by NOVAParks.
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.