Spokane's Manito Park: What It Used to Be a Zoo!

 Manito Park, originally known as Montrose Park, is one of top favorite places to visit in Spokane, Washington State. It is located on the city's Grand Boulevard. Major scenery of this dazzling 90-acre park is attributed to attractive gardens that include:

ok

Duncan Garden spans for three acres filled with a central granite fountain, manicured turf areas and colorful annual bedding plants. There are over 20 species of plants distributed in the area, including both traditional and hybrid varieties. The arrangement of flower beds and plants is symmetrical in this classical European Renaissance style garden.Joel E. Ferris Perennial Garden is surrounded by over 300 plants species. There is a tremendous variety of colors, textures and flower perennial types. The floral display begins in the early spring and continues into late autumn.

Nishinomiya Tsutakawa Japanese Garden has garden elements that are crafted in an asymmetrical fashion resembling that of Japanese gardens. Known as the 'rising star' in reference to Spokane's sister City, Nishinomiya, the garden is a living reminder of friendship carved in nature. It is a place for meditation where tranquility and peace exist.Rose Hill received a citation from All-American Rose Selections as the best Display Garden out of over 130 gardens nationwide in 2007. It has 150 varieties of hybrid tea, grandiflora, floribunda, and miniature roses and a collection of old-fashioned roses as well.

Lilac Garden boasts of over 100 named lilac cultivars of 23 distinct species. With this abundance and variety, Spokane has been nicknamed 'the Lilac City.' In 2003, the garden was extended to include a place for Syringa vulgaris 'Spokane,' a signature double pink lilac.

Aside from the five gardens present in Manito Park, additional attractions also include:

playground

Gaiser Conservatory contains tropical, sub-tropical, temperature plant species and seasonal flowers. The Conservatory charges no admission fee and opens throughout the year.

Dahliais located in northwest Rose Hill where dahlias are grown and cultivated. The blossoming of dahlias happens every August and September.

Loop drive and the Bridge allows passage to visitors and treats them for a majestic vies of the entire garden particularly the Rose Garden. Its design is of contemporary stone styled architecture same with other park buildings in Spokane.

Mirror Pond is a Duck Pond where there's a variety of ducks, geese and other fowl. Feeding them is a fun activity but is usually not encouraged as this might pose sanitary problems.

Those who visited Manito Park are convinced that the park is way too lovely to spend some time. Lush gardens of stunning colors and abundant flowers, beautiful scenery, gorgeous conservatory - all these are common descriptions. Some noted that a day is not enough to explore the area.

Even more important is the degree of relaxation and calmness that one can gain upon plunging a visit.

With over 150,000 visitors arriving yearly, Manito Park is a sure way to escape reality. Its spacious lawns of unique and picturesque landscaping are just right to be with the spirit of nature.