Houston Gardens
Greeley’s best kept secret
THE HISTORY OF HOUSTON GARDENS
Once part of the short grass prairie, the Houston Gardens Property was most recently part of a large hayfield owned by George Meredith Houston. George M. Houston, who moved to Greeley in 1890 to enroll in the newly founded Normal School, was a teacher, state senator and mayor. Amongst all other things, he was also an avid gardener and particularly interested in irrigation. In 1907, Mr. Houston married Ms. Gladys Sanborn and in 1910 their only child, Phylabe, was born. Phylabe and George shared a vision of one day turning their farmland into a botanic garden. The dream eventually came to fruition when Phylabe donated the property to the Assistance League of Greeley. The land was transformed into a botanic garden and a nature center dedicated to her father and the original pioneers who brought irrigated water to this semi-arid area of Colorado. The Houston Gardens effectively establishes a mountain and plains retreat in an urban area that functions as an educational resource center for any person or group interested in the natural environment.
Location and Contact
Coordinator: Jasen Kettle
jasen.kettle@wgcd.org
970-518-2483
Schedule
Spring
- April & May
- Monday- Saturday 11am-5 pm
- Sunday- Closed
Summer
- June, July & August
- Monday- Saturday 10 am – 5 pm
- Sunday- Closed
Fall
- September & October
- Monday- Saturday 11am-5pm
- Sunday- Closed
Winter
- November – March
- By appointment only – subject to fees
** If Gates are Closed Houston Gardens is Closed**
MAP OVERVIEW OF HOUSTON GARDENS
4th Street
Ditch #3
Parking Lot
Shrubland Zone
Plains Zone
Baseball Field
Fruit Trees
Foothills Zone
Windbreak
Boys & Girls Club
Beehive
Garage
Parking
House
Small Lawn
Greenhouse
Community Gardens
Mountain Zone
Subalpine Zone
23rd Avenue
Great Lawn
Entrance
Exit
Map Descriptions
Runs along the north side of Houston Gardens, providing access to the baseball field and Boys & Girls Club.
An irrigation channel that runs along the west and north sides of the property.
Provides space for visitors to park their vehicles while visiting Houston Gardens.
Features a variety of native shrubs and serves as a habitat for local wildlife.
Represents the native grasslands and prairie ecosystem of the region.
A recreational area for sports and community activities.
An orchard area with various fruit-bearing trees.
Mimics the natural foothill ecosystems found in the area.
A row of trees or shrubs designed to reduce wind speed and protect the garden.
A facility providing educational and recreational activities for youth.
An area dedicated to beekeeping and pollination activities.
A building used for storing garden tools and equipment.
Main parking spaces for visitors of the gardens and house.
A residential building on the grounds.
A grassy area suitable for picnics and small gatherings.
A structure for growing plants that require controlled environmental conditions.
Plots available for community members to grow their own plants and vegetables.
Represents the mountainous terrain and vegetation.
Features flora typical of subalpine regions.
Borders the east side of Houston Gardens and provides access to the main entrance.
A large open grassy area for events and recreational activities.
The main entry point to Houston Gardens.
The designated exit for visitors leaving the grounds.
Community Gardens
We promote self-sufficiency, local foods, and sustainable agriculture with 38 total raised beds, each row contains two. They are 22’L x 4′ W x 2.5’D.
- The beds are watered by micro-sprays.
- There are hose bibs located throughout the community garden area to provide additional water.
- The cost to rent one row (2 raised beds) is $35.00 per year.
2024 COMMUNITY GARDEN PLOTS ARE SOLD OUT
Please check back this fall for details on the 2025 season availability.
Natural Trails & Ecosystem types
The gardens features 4.3 acres of scenic land that displays five ecosystems that can be seen in Colorado – Montane, Subalpine, Foothills, Shrubland, and Prairie. As you progress through each you will see the scenery gradually change to trees, shrubs, and bushes native to that ecosystem. It also features two ponds, a peaceful flowing creek, handicapped accessible walking paths, an Eagle Scout trail, and countless species of flora. The garden also has an assortment of native mammals and birds you can see in the garden!
Education & Workshops
The gardens are the perfect learning platform for the urban backyard stewardship, or the small acreage landowner. We have workshops on irrigation, soil health, tree pruning, xeriscaping and native planting. We also offer workshops for the youth to introduce them to the conservation and AG industry. Check our ‘Events’ tab to see when we are holding workshops and events.
Community Gardens
We promote self-sufficiency, local foods, and sustainable agriculture with 38 total raised beds, each row contains two. They are 22’L x 4′ W x 2.5’D.
- The beds are watered by micro-sprays.
- There are hose bibs located throughout the community garden area to provide additional water.
- The cost to rent one row (2 raised beds) is $35.00 per year.
2024 COMMUNITY GARDEN PLOTS ARE SOLD OUT
Please check back this fall for details on the 2025 season availability.
Natural Trails & Ecosystem types
The gardens features 4.3 acres of scenic land that displays five ecosystems that can be seen in Colorado – Montane, Subalpine, Foothills, Shrubland, and Prairie. As you progress through each you will see the scenery gradually change to trees, shrubs, and bushes native to that ecosystem. It also features two ponds, a peaceful flowing creek, handicapped accessible walking paths, an Eagle Scout trail, and countless species of flora. The garden also has an assortment of native mammals and birds you can see in the garden!
Education & Workshops
The gardens are the perfect learning platform for the urban backyard stewardship, or the small acreage landowner. We have workshops on irrigation, soil health, tree pruning, xeriscaping and native planting. We also offer workshops for the youth to introduce them to the conservation and AG industry. Check our ‘Events’ tab to see when we are holding workshops and events.
A SHOWCASE FOR COLORADO
