Leila Arboretum Society — Attraction in Battle Creek

As a FIRST TIME VISITOR, from out of town, I was amazed when I saw the arboretum as we drove into the entrance. At first glance, it was the wooden sculpture park that caught my attention! The Arboretum was a suggested stop in my searches for places to visit in Battle Creek on Google, and so I wanted to check it out along with a confidant of mine who is a Gardner.

Based on the pictures online, I expected to see a SPECTACULAR SITE...especially since the flowers and Gardens should be in full bloom during this time and season!

However, I was somewhat disappointed because the water fountain at the ENTRANCE of the Arboretum was NOT working. The water fountain is ONE of the sites that I wanted to see the most, and the fact that it was off was very disappointing...especially since the Arboretum appeared to have a great deal of visitors!

Secondly, the grass was NOT a beautiful green "healthy" color, and there were MANY parts that were burned. This is NOT a good look, and it attests to the fact that the Arboretum's upkeep is lacking in relation to an excellent sprinkler system. In my opinion, the Fantasy Forrest would have been even more GRAND to see had the grass and surrounding flowers looked more lively as opposed to an appearance of being near-death or DRY.

My confidant is a Gardner, and knows the quality of greenery, and she stated that the Arboretum was NOT at the peak of its FULL POTENTIAL OF BEAUTY due to a LACK of care and upkeep.

Don't get me wrong, we enjoyed the Arboretum and walked around the ENTIRE place in awe of its splendor, we just knew that "some" of the flowers and greenery were NOT well maintained. We have been to a NUMBER of Garden and Sculpture parks that were absolutely breathtaking in the state of Michigan, so we can recognize FIRST HAND when special care, time, and attention is given to a Garden and Flowers.

For example, the Frederick Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids Michigan is double the size of the Leila Arboretum, but EVERY grassy area is green, and EVERY flower on site is well maintained and is in FULL BLOOM with exuberance! Which testifies that the caretakers, volunteers, and surrounding community places value on maintaining Frederick Meijer Gardens at ALL TIMES.

Moreover, Francis Park in Lansing Michigan is also huge, but the caretakers and the city of Lansing invest a great deal of money to purchase adequate sprinkler systems to maintain the beauty and freshness of the grass and surrounding flowers.

I am not trying to be a "Debbie-Downer" or a "Negative-Nancy," all I am saying is that the caretakers could do a much BETTER job at making sure the Arboretum looks better.

In conclusion, I am JEALOUS of the MANY people (in the PAST) who visited the Arboretum when it was at its PEAK OF BEAUTY and radiance! Not only that, I am jealous of the people who were able to witness the huge water fountain ⛲ at the entrance! I am certain, based on the photos online, that the Arboretum used to look EXQUISITE and GRAND at one point. However, I did not have that experience that others did.

It was DISAPPOINTING to see an Arboretum with so much potential being treated as a second class citizen in relation to overall upkeep, care of the grass, Gardens, water fountain, and flowers. The city of Battle Creek could do...

The arboretum itself is AMAZING and a MUST SEE when in Battle Creek!!! It is well known for it's "FANTASY FOREST' which has a ton of fantasy style statues that you can pose with and take pictures with/of (very INSTAGRAM worthy).

They also have the Farm Stand, which is right to the right of the entrance. Here you can purchase a variety of fresh produce at incredibly good prices!

They also have a TON of amazing events throughout the year such as the Festivus cardboard sled races, hosted by the Moustache society, the Garden Tour in July, Leilapalooza as well as many other music festivals, etc. They also host a plant sale in May every year and you can meet/ask questions from a number of people in the master gardeners club. The sale is great (especially if you hit up rhe discount pile!). Prices are a little more than typical greenhouses but it is a fundraiser for them I believe so that...

We love going to Leila Arboretum. They have several areas of different plants and flowers that are labeled for your information. There are several events during the year. Car shows to music festivals. There is disk golf. We enjoy taking our dog for walks there. Best of all is the Fantasy Forest. The FF consists of emerald ash trees that have been carved and painted into amazing art you have to see to believe. In the winter, there are a few choices of hills for sledding. Then there is the children's garden and Kingman museum.Lots to do and see any...