History of Ogden Botanical Gardens

History of Ogden Botanical Gardens. . Did you know beautiful Ogden Gardens is named after a beloved park employee, Otto Ogden?, In 1958, Otto Ogden was hired as the first park district gardener. Ogden meticulously transformed the flower garden at Harrison and Campbell, and by 1964, park department employees petitioned to rename the area to honor his hard work and dedication. Otto believed that "the more flowers we have in our parks, the more beautiful the city will be." With that thought in mind, his original plan for the garden began as a 5-pointed floral star, studded with perennials that burst into a display of beautiful colors in late spring. The impressive floral display, spanning 23-feet long from the core to the tip and 74-feet in diameter, quickly became a favorite of the community., Extensive changes were made at Ogden Gardens in the fall of 1983 and the spring of 1984, including the installation of a flagstone walk from the parking lot to the center of the garden and east to the perennial bed. During this period, beds were constructed and planted along approximately 560 feet of the east-west walk, and benches were installed. In the 1990s, the pathways were upgraded to brick pavers, which have since been maintained for the enjoyment of the many visitors who come to stop and smell the flowers. In 2005, the Japanese garden area was developed, featuring a Teahouse, shaded trails with bridges crossing streams, and a 22,000-gallon koi pond. Today, Ogden Gardens is a cherished spot for weddings and photoshoots, with people coming to enjoy the beautifully maintained floral displays.