Munsinger Gardens - another wonderful reason to love St Cloud MN

Munsinger Gardens - another wonderful reason to love St Cloud MN

Many cities have a landmark, site or feature that you simply must see while you are in town. Set along the banks of the Mississippi River under mature oak and pine trees surrounded by lush shade gardens with winding stone lined walking paths is Munsinger Gardens and for St Cloud Minnesota this is the must see attraction.

The land was originally a saw mill, and in 1915 was purchased by the city and turned into a park. It was named Munsinger Gardens after the superintendent of parks Joseph Munsinger who directed most of the work creating the gardens.

The 14 acres of gardens are very well loved by the Munsinger Clemens Botanical Society an all-volunteer organization. Since the group started in 2000 they have provided free music concerts in the gardens near the Gazebo on Sundays at 3:00pm, Music in the Gardens. At the concerts root beer floats are sold for $1 each to benefit the flower gardens.

The 4th Annual Art Fair in the Gardens will be held on Thursday July 15 from 1:00 to 8:00pm and will feature many wonderful local artists including Jude and Jim Povich (whose art holds a special place in my heart thanks to an anniversary gift).

Munsinger Gardens is free to the public and is open sunrise to 10:00pm.

There are a few simple rules that are clearly posted and if you want to have your wedding pictures taken in the Gardens you will need to set it up ahead of time, and with enough advance notice you can have ceremonies held in the Gardens Special Events Area, The Botanical Room.

My description does not do Munsinger Gardens justice, you will have to see for yourself.

This place is so beautiful that it has a part in one of Saint Cloud Minnesota's most powerful love stories, William and Virginia.  

Please check back tomorrow for the next post, Day 9, of my series wonderful reasons to love St Cloud MN it will be about the adjoining Clemens Gardens.