Marking a half century of Fellows Riverside Gardens

Marking a half century of Fellows Riverside Gardens

Every once in a while, an anniversary comes along that reminds a community of how much it owes to the philanthropy of past generations.

So it was recently when Mill Creek Park marked the 50th anniversary of Elizabeth A. Fellows’ donation of land, money and, just as importantly, a tradition to the park.

The family homestead off Mahoning Avenue overlooking the park was bequeathed in a will made public a week after her death March 19, 1958, at the age of 96. The land was to be developed into a rose garden that would be named for her husband’s parents, Mary and Benjamin Fellows.

That was 50 years ago, and it is important to note that at the time, Mill Creek Park was itself only 67 years old.

Today Mill Creek Park is part of the Mill Creek Metropolitan Park District and covers about 2,600 acres. There are 20 miles of drives, 15 miles of foot trails, streams, waterfalls, lakes, ponds, flora, fauna and geologic marvels, recreation and entertainment areas, but it would be hard to image the park without Fellows Riverside Gardens.

And yet, Fellows is only one name of many that dot the park. The magnificent education and visitor center in Fellows Riverside Gardens is named for D.D. and Velma Davis. Other names scattered throughout Mill Creek include Ford, Wick, Morley, Vickers, Beecher, Kidston, Melnick and Wellers.

Each has made a contribution that helps make Mill Creek Park one of the premier urban parks in the nation.

A beehive of activity

The gardens are host to programs and activities year-round. There’s a children’s summer vegetable gardening program, yoga classes, landscaping clinics, preschool programs appropriate to various holidays and seasons, bulb and plant sales, and flower shows and exhibits. And, of course, the gardens appear as the backdrop in thousands of wedding albums throughout the Mahoning Valley and quite possibly now in homes in every state in the nation.

It is a testament to how far one person’s vision and generosity can reach.

And, of course, it is a testament to a community’s support for an invaluable resource such as Mill Creek Park, and to the generous donation of time and talent from hundreds of volunteers every year. Their names are not carved in stone, but they help make the Fellows legacy come alive. Those classes and sales and workshops and gift shops do not run themselves.

The first plantings at the rose garden were made in 1963, and they have been blooming ever since — not without the time and talents of volunteers. Now the park district has announced a 10-year master plan for major improvements, which will provide opportunities for today’s philanthropists and volunteers to make new contributions to the 50-year-old gardens and 117-year-old park.