2 weeks Ago
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is celebrating 30 years of blending art, culture and nature. The 158-acre campus at 1000 E Beltline Ave. NE features the state’s largest tropical conservatory, a permanent collection of 300 works, five indoor theme gardens plus outdoor gardens, nature trails and boardwalks.
“The idea that from the very beginning we combined beautiful gardens and world-class artwork is what makes us unique,” senior vice president Steve LaWarre told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. “In some areas, you’ll see the gardens singing louder. In other areas, you’ll see the sculpture singing louder, but they are always in harmony.
” Since opening in April 1995, the West Michigan destination has been enjoyed by about 15 million visitors, making it the 90th most-visited art museum in the world and 15th-most in the country. It boasts over 30,000 members as of last year, according to officials. RELATED: Frederik Meijer Gardens marks 30 years as major Michigan cultural destination “We hear from people all the time about how they like to come here to remember a loved one or to celebrate a significant milestone in their lives,” LaWarre said.
“It’s really a place that means a number of different things to a lot of people, but at the center of that is that it brings joy.” We are comparing historical photos provided by Meijer Gardens with present-day photos taken by multimedia intern Arthur Trickett-Wile. The result, below, is a journey through past and present of Meijer Gardens’s most recognizable installations and features.
Exterior of greenhouses and Welcome Center Historical photos provided by Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park as it celebrates 30 years. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park An aerial of the greenhouses on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Mich. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Japanese Garden and the 30th year for the park as a whole.
Arthur H. Trickett-Wile | MLive.com The American Horse by Nina Akamu Photo depicts the unveiling of The American Horse created by Nina Akamu at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park which is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2025.
Photos provided by Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park A young guest hangs from the bronze hoof of the American Horse, a sculpure by Nina Akamu, on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Mich. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Japanese Garden and the 30th year for the park as a whole. Arthur H.
Trickett-Wile | MLive.com Main Entrance off East Beltline An early photo depicting the entrance to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park which is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2025. Photos provided by Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park A sign stands at the main entrance on East Beltline Drive on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Mich.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Japanese Garden and the 30th year for the park as a whole. Arthur H. Trickett-Wile | MLive.
com Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater Photo depicts the construction of the ampitheater at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park which is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2025. Photos provided by Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park A scene from the Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Mich. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Japanese Garden and the 30th year for the park as a whole.
Arthur H. Trickett-Wile | MLive.com BISSELL Corridor Photo depicts the construction of a carnivorous plants habitat at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park which is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2025.
Photos provided by Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park The entrance to ‘Butterflies are Blooming’ at Frederik Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids on Thursday, February 27, 2025. Isaac Ritchey | [email protected] Earl and Donnalee Holton Arid Garden An early photo depicting the Earl and Donnalee Holton Arid Garden at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park which is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2025.
Photos provided by Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park A scene from the Earl & Donnalee Holton Arid Garden on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Mich. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Japanese Garden and the 30th year for the park as a whole. Arthur H.
Trickett-Wile | MLive.com Kenneth E. Nelson Carnivorous Plant House Photo depicts the construction of a carnivorous plants habitat at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park which is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2025.
Photos provided by Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park A guest examines plants in the Kenneth E. Nelson Carnivorous Plant House on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Mich. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Japanese Garden and the 30th year for the park as a whole.
Arthur H. Trickett-Wile | MLive.com Michigan Farm Garden Photo depicts the opening of the Michigan's Farm Garden at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park which is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2025.
Photos provided by Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park A bronze of ravens by Jim Eppler stands in Michigan’s Farm Garden on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Mich. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Japanese Garden and the 30th year for the park as a whole. Arthur H.
Trickett-Wile | MLive.com Check out the full gallery above to see more photos. Click here for a direct link to the gallery.
To purchase tickets or plan a trip to Meijer Gardens, visit its website here . Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free “ 3@3 Grand Rapids ” daily newsletter..
