Mill Pond-Year Round Surprises

By Bridget Fitzpatrick

Tucked away adjacent to the 150-acre Red Mill Pond and its tributaries, Mill Pond Garden is a sight to behold throughout every season. It is more than just an organized display of year-round beauty. Mill Pond Garden is also home and a sanctuary for butterflies, dragonflies, bees and other essential pollinators. Through careful landscaping choices, several native plants and trees are there to be discovered.

Mill Pond boasts wildlife of all sorts, including a Koi pond, turtle-filled ponds, a bat colony, and more. There’s also an abundance of birds and small mammals: eagles, osprey, herons, several species of ducks and geese, and turtles. Their amphibian ponds are loaded with frogs, salamanders and more. It is truly a gem to behold, and director, Michael Zajic wants visitors to share in its scenery, although it is not open on a daily basis. The hours vary from month to month during which visitors can choose to take a self-tour or when scheduled in advance, go on a “Director’s Tour” personalized by Zajic.

Open Days as they are called take place every month (in warm weather, there are often more than one). Registration is not announced until ten days beforehand so that the weather outlook is considered (although tours are rain or shine). Tickets are $15 per car for six passengers, and $60 per car for a private tour with the director. Just remember that it’s a walking tour – not a driving tour.

Mill Pond Garden emphasizes the environmental importance of using native plants and trees in our own gardens. It also has a winter tour that emphasizes that beautiful colors can be found even then. There’s a presentation about the intriguing colors of Fall as well. MPG is a member of the National Wildlife Federation, and a Certified Wildlife Habitat. Zajic shares, “We are staffed by a Horticulturist, a Plant Scientist, four Gardeners, and blessed with volunteer help and thoughtful donors.”

During the months of November, December and January, there is a holiday light display (usually starting on the fourth Saturday of November). Mill Pond has education as part of its mission. They provide educational material, classroom and garden club presentations and other public speaking events by appointment. To learn more about what’s coming up, visit the website https://millpondgarden.com. There you can learn more about upcoming events by subscribing to their email list for a better chance to purchase tickets. Why not make the very easy trip to the gardens that await you and five friends for the mere cost of $15? Keep an eye out for what’s next!