The gardens were gifted to the park system by Ida McKinley’s sister, Elizabeth Fellows, and her husband, John Fellows.
The site acts as an official All-America Selections testing ground, showcasing the newest plant varieties before they hit the general market.
The Davis Center features a green roof which serves both as an aesthetic element and an energy-saving architectural feature.
The grounds contain over 30,000 seasonal bulbs planted annually to ensure rotating color displays throughout the spring season.
The rose garden includes more than 1,000 individual rose bushes representing multiple varieties and historical cultivars.
Fellows Riverside Gardens is a 12-acre public display garden located within the 4,800-acre Mill Creek Park system in Youngstown, Ohio. The grounds feature a formal design characterized by rose gardens, seasonal floral displays, and an extensive perennial collection. The Davis Education and Visitor Center serves as the primary hub, housing the Joyce Brooks Fragrance Garden, the Weller Gallery, and the Garden Cafe. The grounds are meticulously maintained by Mill Creek MetroParks and offer year-round rotating plant exhibitions. A significant portion of the garden focuses on regional horticulture, including native Ohio perennials and specialized shrub collections. The park is designated as an All-America Selections display garden, meaning it showcases trial-winning plant varieties. The landscape incorporates water features, including fountains and reflecting pools, designed to integrate with the surrounding natural topography. It serves as a major regional educational site for botanical study and community horticultural workshops.
The elevated bridge and stone overlook providing a panoramic view of the formal rose garden and the visitor center architecture.
Visit the Weller Gallery inside the Davis Center to see rotating exhibitions by local and regional artists.
Pick up a self-guided plant tour map at the visitor center information desk upon arrival to identify seasonal highlights.
Check the Mill Creek MetroParks online event calendar before visiting to avoid days when weddings or private ceremonies restrict public access to specific garden zones.
Do not attempt to walk through the garden beds to reach photography angles; stick strictly to the designated perimeter trails.
The visitor center is typically closed on Mondays, though the outdoor garden grounds usually remain accessible dawn to dusk year-round.
Stay on marked gravel and paved paths to protect delicate garden beds; refrain from picking flowers or foliage.
