The Shelter Gardens is a serene and picturesque botanical garden that serves as a venue for concerts and weddings. The 5-acre (2-hectare) park is also a popular gathering spot for students, amateur photographers and scientists scrutinizing the diverse array of vegetation. Take photos of some of the 300 types of trees and 15,000 plants that decorate the large garden.
Marvel at the innovative arrangement of the sensory garden, intended for the visually impaired. The exhibit allows you to feel the texture of leaves and bark and smell the aromas of herbs and flowers. Enjoy a picnic on the lawn and listen to the relaxing sounds of the waterfall. A reflecting pool and a stream also lie beside the many objects that adorn these stunning gardens.
Stroll along the paved paths to encounter the tranquil rock garden and consider its harmonious aesthetic order. The park’s huge sundial is nestled in well-trimmed hedges. Reflect at the Vietnam Veterans memorial in this peaceful park.
See the gazebo and the restored one-room school, where your children can sit at the desks and play pretend school. Kids will also love the charming fish pond, where they can spot colorful koi among other aquatic creatures. Look for rabbits hiding behind the bushes and squirrels scurrying along the tree branches. Cross the quaint bridge over the stream and inspect the brilliant red petals in the rose garden.
Attend one of the free musical concerts held in this scenic park on Sundays in June and July. The garden, which is free to enter, opens daily from early morning until early evening.
The Shelter Gardens is a little west of the center of Columbia. Drive northwest from the University of Missouri for 2 miles (3 kilometers) to get here in less than 10 minutes. See nearby sights, such as Clary-Shy Community Park, Columbia Mall and Fairview Park.
