Still loyal to memories of NYC’s Central Park on Sundays, photos on the Woodward Park website tempted a visit with listings for local botanical gardens, a pair of small historical museums, and an aerial photo of a huge mansion complex surrounded by manicured grounds. Size and grandeur were further envisioned when seeing a notice about photo fees and licenses, which turned out only applying to commercial photographers regularly shooting portraits in the park.
Located on 21st Street between Utica and Peoria Avenues in an older, upscale neighborhood, Woodward Park was much smaller than expected, but certainly worth a visit for anyone looking to enjoy peaceful time in natural settings. Walking paths weave through small clumps of forest that had terraced gardens blossoming with early spring's finest. However, the main attraction was still months away.
The Tulsa Rose Garden was one of the largest I've ever seen, extending over four levels and adorned with marble statues, fountains, pools, and benches. For March, the gardens had an arid desert appearance, with bushes already tightly pruned. Green sprouts and markers only suggested how impressive the roses would be in peak season, with sweet aromas that undoubtedly permeate the entire park.
The Botanical House is just that; a small greenhouse with a very intimate, chapel-like environment. The entry is centered around a goldfish pond that has a small fountain trickling a placid soundtrack. A variety of plants encircle the atrium, with smaller halls off to three of the sides. Right of the entry is the desert room; the back walkway contains flowering house and garden plants and to the left is the tropical room.
Compared to the 150-plus plants kept in my house, the at-home feeling was endeared even more so knowing what care goes into maintaining a healthy jungle. If this was something tended by full-time park employees, efforts had been masked to seem like a group of local enthusiasts indulging a hobby. North of the Botanical House is another building that appeared to be headquarters for the park's staff, but turned out to be another indoor garden area with more space, fountains, and benches scattered amid the plants. The structure is covered with an isolative plastic and the sun baking through at high noon was a good indicator this would be an enjoyable place in the dead of winter.
Both museums, the convention center, and the mansion were closed on Sunday, as was a deluxe garden shop next to the botanical houses. There's a minimal playground and picnic area with restrooms, but the highlight beyond the gardens was the wide-open space. A generous amount of people were scattered around the park, enjoying various activities with still plenty of solitude and places to check out for a back-to-nature break. I'll look forward returning to Woodward Park on future visits, especially to see the seasonal changes.