Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens — Attraction in Area B (Lazo North)

I took my wife to the gardens for Mother's Day, and overall we were a bit disappointed. We love the blending of cultivated gardens with the natural woodland environment, but found the experience was let down by obvious years of neglected maintenance. Most of the paths are very narrow due to lack of pruning, and in places where large shrubs like rhodos are totally overgrowing the path, they're rather clumsily and ineffectively tied off to nearby trees. We took one path that led us along a sharp drop down to the creek, that honestly felt dangerous. We did have a stroller, but even without it would have been watching our footing very carefully. Along that path we encountered a sort of gazebo that was rotting/falling over, but strapped and chained to a tree... that had grown around the chain, so clearly left that way for years. Why it wasn't just torn down is beyond me. All of that being said, the Woodland Gardens have an abundance of serene and beautiful nature, many lovely ponds, and great grassy spots for picnics. The issues are all around maintenance and...

EDIT: I've also heard through the grapevine that this venue hold conservative meetings. This is unverified, but the source was a a conservative so do with that what you will.

Just disappointing. Maybe it's worth it for special events (? I've never been, so not sure) but it's just not worth it in general. It's very much like every other path that exists in this area. In fact, it was worse. Overgrown and unkept, the little decorations present like the eagles view gazebo honestly looks like a hazard... it was leaning very far to one side. No lights lit, no flowers (it is certainly not a garden).

I'm also not convinced that they can even ethically charge to visit. Like, it's not a backyard it's actual forest and how can you claim/charge money to walk the forest....

Save your time and money and go the Seal Bay. The same experience, but well maintained grounds and free. Certainly, the trails are not accessible to young families, the elderly or...

Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens are always a treat to wander throughout it's grounds during the spring to autumn months.

Spring is particularly enchanting with the hundreds of glorious rhododendrons in a rainbow of colors blooming amongst a natural background. Pretty ponds with unique fountain's make these area's a cool reprieve on warm weather day's. Plenty of novel types seating provided along ambling trail's..

Art Festival's held here, are always a lovely way to spend a couple hours enjoying & purchasing spectacular creations by local artists . Plus there is a added bonus of listening to soft, melodic melodies by various talented musicians while enjoying the sights. Couple of food venues are available for purchasing limited variety of munchies.

Area's of the grounds are frequently rented for weddings &...