Schoepfle Garden

11106 Market Street, Wakeman, OH 44889

(440) 965-7237

Schoepfle Garden is truly beautiful—77 acres of botanical gardens and natural woodland bordered on one side by the Vermilion River. The garden features collections of rhododendrons, roses, cannas, hosta, shade plants, and a variety of shrubs, topiaries and trees. Enjoy the natural beauty of the garden by participating in a guided tour or wandering at you own pace.

Activities

• Hiking Trail

• 70-Acre Botanical Gardens

• Free Carousel (open seasonally)

• Playground

• Children’s Garden

• Visitor’s Center

Trail Map

The Schoepfle Garden Nature Trail starts near the back pond at the rear of Schoepfle Garden. The trail goes through the woods to the Birmingham Community Center. The trail is rich in nature and gives an idea of the type of plants and animals native to the Vermilion River Valley. The park also features a formal garden loop through the beautiful gardens and a river valley trail.

Length: 2-Mile Loop Trail
Surfaces: Natural Dirt & Natural Grass Trails

Features & History

How did this beautiful garden come to be? The answer is Otto B. Schoepfle Jr.
Born in 1910, Otto Schoepfle began his career as a banker in the 1930’s. After the Second World War, during which he served in the US Navy Coastal Office, he took a job at the Chronicle-Telegram in Elyria and rose to the paper’s publisher and the company’s Chief Executive Officer until his retirement in 1986.

Otto Schoepfle did not start out to create a botanical garden. He in fact referred to it sometimes as “the garden that grew.” He traveled Europe and North America learning about different botanical varieties and methods, coming home after each trip with new ideas. This continual pursuit of learning became a dominant force in his philosophy of life.

Garden Rules

In an effort to keep this garden special for all who visit, we ask that you please observe the following guidelines when visiting:

1. We know the garden is lovely and you’d love to have a cutting of this or that, but please don’t pick the flowers, take cuttings, or collect seeds, cones, nuts, or fruits from the plants.  Everyone should have the opportunity to see and experience the same things you did.

2. Please remain on the grass or paved trails around the garden. We ask you, please do not walk into the flower beds.

3. We ask you please accompany your children throughout the garden.

4. Dogs and other pets are not permitted in the garden.

5. Please limit your picnicking to the areas adjacent to the parking lot.

6. Permits are required for organized group activities to be held in the park.

7. Please do not use areas in the garden for playground activities. 

8. Fishing, wading, and ice skating are not permitted in the garden ponds.

9. Bicycles, rollerblades, or skateboards are not permitted on the paved areas or in the garden.

In addition to these guidelines, visitors are required to act within the Lorain County Metro Parks rules.